X-Ray Emission from SN 1986J
Abstract
SN 1986J ranks as one of the most luminous, X-ray bright supernovae ever observed. The X-ray emission is attributed to circumstellar interaction with the dense wind from its progenitor star. I present results from recent Chandra observations of SN 1986J which, combined with data from Rosat, ASCA and XMM, yield an X-ray light curve spanning much of the first 20 years of the supernova's evolution. Together with observations in other wave bands, these data provide strong constraints on models for this type IIn supernova. I show that the 0.5-2.5 keV X-ray emission is declining ∝ t-1.7 ± 0.25, and suggest that the enhanced abundance of silicon and sulfur in the X-ray spectrum argues against a shocked wind-cloud origin for the X-ray and narrow optical line emission.
- Publication:
-
The Fate of the Most Massive Stars
- Pub Date:
- September 2005
- Bibcode:
- 2005ASPC..332..417H