X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Emissions Expected from Supernova 1987A
Abstract
We have calculated the X-ray and gamma-ray spectra expected from SN 1987A. Nuclear gamma-rays emitted by ^56^Co are down scattered by multiple Compton scatterings into 10-30 keV - the hard X-ray region. Soft photons with energy less than 10 keV are negligible because of photoelectric absorption. The X-ray flux and spectral shape strongly depend on the chemical composition and the expansion velocity of the ejecta. We use the models TWOBF7 and 15B5 provided by Woosley in order to describe the distributions of density and chemical compositions for SN 1987A. For the TWOBF7 model, the X-ray flux between 10-20 keV reaches a peak of 6.7 photons s^-1^ m^-2^ ~1 yr after the explosion. For the 15B5 model, the peak flux is larger by a factor of 5. Recently, the Japanese X-ray satellite Ginga detected an excess X-ray flux from the direction of SN 1987A. We discuss implications of this detection for the models of SN 1987A. We also discuss how observations of gamma-ray lines can determine the optical thickness of the expanding shell.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- May 1988
- DOI:
- 10.1086/166327
- Bibcode:
- 1988ApJ...328..699E
- Keywords:
-
- Chemical Composition;
- Compton Effect;
- Gamma Rays;
- Supernova 1987a;
- X Ray Spectra;
- Computational Astrophysics;
- Energy Spectra;
- Light Curve;
- Monte Carlo Method;
- Thomson Scattering;
- Astrophysics;
- GAMMA RAYS: GENERAL;
- STARS: INDIVIDUAL ALPHANUMERIC: SN 1987A;
- STARS: X-RAYS;
- STARS: SUPERNOVAE