Supernova remnant 1987A: High resolution images and spectrum from Chandra observations

S. Park, S. A. Zhekov, D. N. Burrows, J. L. Racusin, R. McCray, K. J. Borkowski

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report on the morphological and spectral evolution of SNR 1987A from the monitoring observations with the Chandra/ACIS. As of 2005, the X-ray-bright lobes are continuously brightening and expanding all around the ring. The softening of the overall X-ray spectrum also continues. The X-ray lightcurve is particularly remarkable: i.e., the recent soft X-ray flux increase rate is significantly deviating from the model which successfully fits the earlier data, indicating even faster flux increase rate since early 2004 (day ∼6200). We also report results from high resolution spectral analysis with deep Chandra/LETG observations. The high resolution X-ray line emission features unambiguously reveal that the X-ray emission of SNR 1987A is originating primarily from a "disk" along the inner ring rather than from a spherical shell. We present the ionization structures, elemental abundances, and the shock velocities of the X-ray emitting plasma.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationX-ray Universe 2005
Pages335-340
Number of pages6
Edition604
StatePublished - Apr 10 2006
EventX-ray Universe 2005 - Madrid, Spain
Duration: Sep 26 2005Sep 30 2005

Publication series

NameEuropean Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA SP
Number604
Volume1
ISSN (Print)0379-6566

Other

OtherX-ray Universe 2005
Country/TerritorySpain
CityMadrid
Period9/26/059/30/05

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Space and Planetary Science

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