2026A&A...705L...4A

The Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) has revealed numerous ultrahigh-energy gamma-ray sources of unknown origin. We propose that a fraction of them can be explained by microquasar remnants, i.e., binary systems where mass transfer has ceased and the central engine is quenched. Cosmic rays injected during the active phase of a microquasar may remain confined within its cocoon and subsequently interact with nearby molecular clouds, producing bright gamma-ray emission through pp collisions. Remnants of former super-Eddington systems can act as dark PeVatrons, releasing particles up to ∼10 PeV that illuminate surrounding clouds producing gamma rays reaching hundreds of tera-electron volts. This scenario provides a natural explanation for several unidentified Galactic LHAASO sources.