Gamma-ray emission expected from Kepler's supernova remnant
Abstract
Aims.Nonlinear kinetic theory of cosmic ray (CR) acceleration in supernova remnants (SNRs) is used to investigate the properties of Kepler's SNR and, in particular, to predict the γ-ray spectrum expected from this SNR.
Methods: .Observations of the nonthermal radio and X-ray emission spectra as well as theoretical constraints for the total supernova (SN) explosion energy E_sn are used to constrain the astronomical and particle acceleration parameters of the system.
Results: .Under the assumption that Kepler's SN is a type Ia SN we determine for any given explosion energy E_sn and source distance d the mass density of the ambient interstellar medium (ISM) from a fit to the observed SNR size and expansion speed. This makes it possible to make predictions for the expected γ-ray flux. Exploring the expected distance range we find that for a typical explosion energy E_sn=1051 erg the expected energy flux of TeV γ-rays varies from 2 × 10-11 to 10-13 erg/(cm2 s) when the distance changes from d=3.4 kpc to 7 kpc. In all cases the γ-ray emission is dominated by π^0-decay γ-rays due to nuclear CRs. Therefore Kepler's SNR represents a very promising target for instruments like HESS, CANGAROO and GLAST. A non-detection of γ-rays would mean that the actual source distance is larger than 7 kpc.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- June 2006
- DOI:
- 10.1051/0004-6361:20064801
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/0602068
- Bibcode:
- 2006A&A...452..217B
- Keywords:
-
- cosmic rays;
- acceleration of particles;
- ISM: supernova remnants;
- radiation mechanisms: non-thermal;
- gamma rays: theory;
- hydrodynamics;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 6 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics, minor typos corrected