PROSPECTS FOR X-RAY-DETECTION OF INVERSE-COMPTON EMISSION FROM RADIO-SOURCE ELECTRONS AND PHOTONS OF THE MICROWAVE BACKGROUND

Using an approximate analytical formulation we derive the spectrum of the relativistic electrons from observed radio and X-ray data. Correction factors from more exact numerical integrations are also given. The likelihood of X-ray detections of various types of radio sources is discussed in relation to the average magnetic field strength in the sources and we also consider a class of sources which may not be represented in existing catalogues of radio sources. Finally, a few of the problems which will be encountered in comparing X-ray and radio observations are mentioned. © Royal Astronomical Society.