Einstein observations of supernova remnants
Abstract
Recent observations of SNRs have produced X-ray images with resolution comparable to that routinely achieved at optical wavelengths. There has also been a great improvement in the quality of X-ray spectra. Since most of the energy radiated by SNRs appears as X-rays, these new data are crucial to studies of SNRs, the interaction of SNRs with the interstellar medium, and the SN explosion itself. Images show a variety of shapes ranging from shel-like remnants to those dominated by the influence of central objects which appear both as point sources and as centers of diffuse activity. Once the temperature and spatial distribution of X-ray emitting material is known, the mass of ejected material and the energy release of the SN explosion can sometimes be calculated. X-ray images and spectra of several remnants are shown, and some quantitative results are given.
- Publication:
-
Advances in Space Research
- Pub Date:
- 1982
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 1982AdSpR...2i.153S
- Keywords:
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- Heao 2;
- Stellar Spectra;
- Supernova Remnants;
- X Ray Astronomy;
- Interstellar Matter;
- Pulsars;
- Spatial Distribution;
- Spectral Resolution;
- Stellar Envelopes;
- Stellar Evolution;
- Stellar Mass Ejection;
- Stellar Temperature;
- X Ray Spectra;
- Astrophysics