2005ApJ...626..174P

I have studied the variability properties and localization of 3EG J1746-2851 based on EGRET data of the observing periods 1-4. Using corrections for known systematic problems and performing various consistency checks, I find no evidence of variability with an amplitude exceeding 30% with the possible exception of viewing period 429, for which a strong soft excess is observed. Source 3EG J1746-2851 is displaced from the exact Galactic center toward positive Galactic longitudes. Sgr A*, the center of Sgr A East, the pulsar J1747-2958, and the TeV γ-ray source observed with HESS seem to be excluded as possible counterparts at the >95% level.