Chandra observations of SN 1987A: The soft X-ray light curve revisited

E. A. Helder; P. S. Broos; D. Dewey; E. Dwek; R. McCray; S. Park; J. L. Racusin; S. A. Zhekov; D. N. Burrows

doi:10.1088/0004-637X/764/1/11

Chandra observations of SN 1987A: The soft X-ray light curve revisited

E. A. Helder, P. S. Broos, D. Dewey, E. Dwek, R. McCray, S. Park, J. L. Racusin, S. A. Zhekov, D. N. Burrows

Astronomy & Astrophysics

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Abstract

We report on the present stage of SN 1987A as observed by the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. We reanalyze published Chandra observations and add three more epochs of Chandra data to get a consistent picture of the evolution of the X-ray fluxes in several energy bands. We discuss the implications of several calibration issues for Chandra data. Using the most recent Chandra calibration files, we find that the 0.5-2.0 keV band fluxes of SN 1987A have increased by ∼6 × 10^-13 erg s^-1 cm^-2 per year since 2009. This is in contrast with our previous result that the 0.5-2.0 keV light curve showed a sudden flattening in 2009. Based on our new analysis, we conclude that the forward shock is still in full interaction with the equatorial ring.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	11
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	764
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/764/1/11
State	Published - Feb 10 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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10.1088/0004-637X/764/1/11

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title = "Chandra observations of SN 1987A: The soft X-ray light curve revisited",

abstract = "We report on the present stage of SN 1987A as observed by the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. We reanalyze published Chandra observations and add three more epochs of Chandra data to get a consistent picture of the evolution of the X-ray fluxes in several energy bands. We discuss the implications of several calibration issues for Chandra data. Using the most recent Chandra calibration files, we find that the 0.5-2.0 keV band fluxes of SN 1987A have increased by ∼6 × 10-13 erg s-1 cm-2 per year since 2009. This is in contrast with our previous result that the 0.5-2.0 keV light curve showed a sudden flattening in 2009. Based on our new analysis, we conclude that the forward shock is still in full interaction with the equatorial ring.",

author = "Helder, {E. A.} and Broos, {P. S.} and D. Dewey and E. Dwek and R. McCray and S. Park and Racusin, {J. L.} and Zhekov, {S. A.} and Burrows, {D. N.}",

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T1 - Chandra observations of SN 1987A

T2 - The soft X-ray light curve revisited

AU - Helder, E. A.

AU - Broos, P. S.

AU - Dewey, D.

AU - Dwek, E.

AU - McCray, R.

AU - Park, S.

AU - Racusin, J. L.

AU - Zhekov, S. A.

AU - Burrows, D. N.

PY - 2013/2/10

Y1 - 2013/2/10

N2 - We report on the present stage of SN 1987A as observed by the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. We reanalyze published Chandra observations and add three more epochs of Chandra data to get a consistent picture of the evolution of the X-ray fluxes in several energy bands. We discuss the implications of several calibration issues for Chandra data. Using the most recent Chandra calibration files, we find that the 0.5-2.0 keV band fluxes of SN 1987A have increased by ∼6 × 10-13 erg s-1 cm-2 per year since 2009. This is in contrast with our previous result that the 0.5-2.0 keV light curve showed a sudden flattening in 2009. Based on our new analysis, we conclude that the forward shock is still in full interaction with the equatorial ring.

AB - We report on the present stage of SN 1987A as observed by the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. We reanalyze published Chandra observations and add three more epochs of Chandra data to get a consistent picture of the evolution of the X-ray fluxes in several energy bands. We discuss the implications of several calibration issues for Chandra data. Using the most recent Chandra calibration files, we find that the 0.5-2.0 keV band fluxes of SN 1987A have increased by ∼6 × 10-13 erg s-1 cm-2 per year since 2009. This is in contrast with our previous result that the 0.5-2.0 keV light curve showed a sudden flattening in 2009. Based on our new analysis, we conclude that the forward shock is still in full interaction with the equatorial ring.

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JO - Astrophysical Journal

JF - Astrophysical Journal

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ER -

Chandra observations of SN 1987A: The soft X-ray light curve revisited

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