A galactic component of the diffuse X-ray flux in the range 2 to 7 keV

An analysis has been made of the spatial distribution of the 2 to 7 keV X-ray background as measured by Uhuru and reported by Schwartz. The latitude distribution above about 100 is consistent with a uniform isotropic component comprising the bulk of the radiation plus a galactic part varying from about 3 per cent at /b/ = 200 to 1 per cent at /b/ = 900. The galactic component is readily interpreted in terms of synchrotron and Inverse Compton radiation from cosmic ray electrons in the ISM. The residual background has been analyzed, after a symmetrical galactic contribution has been subtracted, in terms of a directional anisotropy such as would follow from the Compton-Getting effect. Although the procedure is hazardous in view of many uncertainties due to galactic anisotropies it is shown that the results are not inconsistent with the solar system moving through the 2 to 7 keV X-ray sea in the same manner as it appears to move with respect to the 2.7 K radiation. (author)