M82 IN GAMMA-RAYS

In view of the reported high energy density in cosmic ray electrons from recent radio continuum observations (Klein et al. 1988), it is estimated that the nearest starburst galaxy M 82 may be observable by the GRO-EGRET instrument at gamma-rays above 100 MeV. Implications of a possible detection for the physics of cosmic rays, their extent and role in galactic processes are noted.