EDP Sciences, Astronomy & Astrophysics, (533), p. A103, 2011
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201117445
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Context: Several newly discovered very-high-energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) γ-ray sources in the Galaxy are thought to be associated with energetic pulsars. Among them, middle-aged (≳ 104 yr) systems exhibit large centre-filled VHE nebulae, offset from the pulsar position, which result from the complex relationship between the pulsar wind and the surrounding medium, and reflect the past evolution of the pulsar. Aims: Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) have been successful in revealing extended emission from these sources in the VHE regime. Together with radio and X-ray observations, this observational window allows one to probe the energetics and magnetic field inside these large-scale nebulae. Methods: H.E.S.S., with its large field of view, angular resolution of ≲0.1° and unprecedented sensitivity, has been used to discover a large population of such VHE sources. In this paper, the H.E.S.S. data from the continuation of the Galactic Plane Survey (− 80°