SN 1987A : emergence of the soft X-ray source.
Abstract
We report the first soft X-ray detection of SN 1987A. The source was found at 2.7 10^-3^cts s^-1^(0.5 - 2.0 keV) in a deep 1992 exposure with the ROSAT PSPC; it was marginally present also in a shorter 1991 exposure. The luminosity in the 0.5-2.0 keV band is L ~10^34^erg s^- 1^. The X-ray emission may originate from the central object or from the shock-heated ejecta and circumstellar material. We favour an origin from the interaction of the supernova blast wave with the termination shock of the fast wind from the progenitor star. This interpretation connects the emergence of the soft X-rays with the re-appearance of radio emission from SN 1987A in mid 1990.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- January 1994
- Bibcode:
- 1994A&A...281L..45B
- Keywords:
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- Shock Wave Interaction;
- Stellar Envelopes;
- Stellar Winds;
- Supernova 1987a;
- X Rays;
- Magellanic Clouds;
- Neutron Stars;
- Radio Emission;
- Rosat Mission;
- Stellar Luminosity;
- Astrophysics