X-ray Swift observations of SN 2018cow
Abstract
Supernova (SN) 2018cow is an optical transient detected in the galaxy CGCG 137-068. It has been classified as an SN due to various characteristics in its optical spectra. The transient is also a bright X-ray source. We present results of the analysis of ∼62 ks of X-ray observations taken with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory over 27 d. We found a variable behaviour in the 0.3-10 keV X-ray light curve of SN 2018cow, with variability time-scales of days. The observed X-ray variability could be due to the interaction between the SN ejecta and a non-uniform circumstellar medium, perhaps related to previous mass ejections from a luminous-blue-variable-like progenitor.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- October 2018
- DOI:
- 10.1093/mnrasl/sly145
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1807.06369
- Bibcode:
- 2018MNRAS.480L.146R
- Keywords:
-
- gamma-ray burst: general;
- supernovae: individual: SN 2018cow;
- X-rays: stars;
- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena;
- Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies;
- Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- Matches order of figures and corrects minor typos in units, as seeing in the MNRASL version