Discovery of X-Ray Emission Associated with the GUM Nebula
Abstract
The Gum Nebula was observed by the A-2 LED proportional counters on the HEAO-1 satellite as part of the all-sky survey. The first detection of X-ray emission associated with the Gum Nebula is reported. Soft X-ray spectra were constructed from the A-2 LED PHA data. Single temperature Raymond-Smith models were fitted to the observed spectra to yield temperature, column density and emission measure. The temperature is 6 x 10 exp 5 K, the column density 4 x 10 exp 20/sq cm, and the emission measure 5 cm exp-6 pc. The X-ray and optical properties of the Gum Nebula are consistent with a supernova remnant in the shell stage of evolution, which was the product of an energetic (3 x 10 exp 51 ergs) supernova explosion which occurred about 2 x 10 exp 6 yr ago.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- February 1992
- DOI:
- 10.1086/170962
- Bibcode:
- 1992ApJ...385..561L
- Keywords:
-
- Gum Nebula;
- Supernova Remnants;
- X Ray Sources;
- Astronomical Photography;
- Heao 1;
- Satellite Observation;
- Sky Surveys (Astronomy);
- Astrophysics;
- ISM: INDIVIDUAL NAME: GUM NEBULA;
- ISM: SUPERNOVA REMNANTS;
- X-RAYS: INTERSTELLAR