Detection of X-rays from SN 1987A with ROSAT

Paul Gorenstein; John P. Hughes; Wallace H. Tucker

doi:10.1086/187154

Detection of X-rays from SN 1987A with ROSAT

Paul Gorenstein, John P. Hughes, Wallace H. Tucker

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32 Scopus citations

Abstract

Soft X-rays (0.5-2 keV) were detected with the ROSAT PSPC from the direction of SN 1987A, which falls within an association in the LMC that is rich in B stars. The emission is consistent with two point sources in the LMC with total luminosity of ∼ 10³⁴ ergs s^-1. The brighter source is identified with SN 1987A on the basis of its positional agreement. We interpret the emission as arising from the interaction of supernova ejecta with the pre-existing blue giant wind. The second source may be an unidentified Be/X-ray binary. Another possibility is that the second source is an X-ray echo from the supernova outburst. The X-ray echo interpretation requires that the supernova emitted ∼ 10⁴⁷ ergs in a burst of soft X-rays.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	L25-L28
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	420
Issue number	1 PART 2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/187154
State	Published - Jan 1 1994
Externally published	Yes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

Keywords

Supernova remnants
Supernovae: individual: (SN 1987A)
X-rays: stars

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10.1086/187154

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@article{5a25ddd47ec44eb297686ff31bf4ba70,

title = "Detection of X-rays from SN 1987A with ROSAT",

abstract = "Soft X-rays (0.5-2 keV) were detected with the ROSAT PSPC from the direction of SN 1987A, which falls within an association in the LMC that is rich in B stars. The emission is consistent with two point sources in the LMC with total luminosity of ∼ 1034 ergs s-1. The brighter source is identified with SN 1987A on the basis of its positional agreement. We interpret the emission as arising from the interaction of supernova ejecta with the pre-existing blue giant wind. The second source may be an unidentified Be/X-ray binary. Another possibility is that the second source is an X-ray echo from the supernova outburst. The X-ray echo interpretation requires that the supernova emitted ∼ 1047 ergs in a burst of soft X-rays.",

keywords = "Supernova remnants, Supernovae: individual: (SN 1987A), X-rays: stars",

author = "Paul Gorenstein and Hughes, {John P.} and Tucker, {Wallace H.}",

year = "1994",

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doi = "10.1086/187154",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Detection of X-rays from SN 1987A with ROSAT

AU - Gorenstein, Paul

AU - Hughes, John P.

AU - Tucker, Wallace H.

PY - 1994/1/1

Y1 - 1994/1/1

N2 - Soft X-rays (0.5-2 keV) were detected with the ROSAT PSPC from the direction of SN 1987A, which falls within an association in the LMC that is rich in B stars. The emission is consistent with two point sources in the LMC with total luminosity of ∼ 1034 ergs s-1. The brighter source is identified with SN 1987A on the basis of its positional agreement. We interpret the emission as arising from the interaction of supernova ejecta with the pre-existing blue giant wind. The second source may be an unidentified Be/X-ray binary. Another possibility is that the second source is an X-ray echo from the supernova outburst. The X-ray echo interpretation requires that the supernova emitted ∼ 1047 ergs in a burst of soft X-rays.

AB - Soft X-rays (0.5-2 keV) were detected with the ROSAT PSPC from the direction of SN 1987A, which falls within an association in the LMC that is rich in B stars. The emission is consistent with two point sources in the LMC with total luminosity of ∼ 1034 ergs s-1. The brighter source is identified with SN 1987A on the basis of its positional agreement. We interpret the emission as arising from the interaction of supernova ejecta with the pre-existing blue giant wind. The second source may be an unidentified Be/X-ray binary. Another possibility is that the second source is an X-ray echo from the supernova outburst. The X-ray echo interpretation requires that the supernova emitted ∼ 1047 ergs in a burst of soft X-rays.

KW - Supernova remnants

KW - Supernovae: individual: (SN 1987A)

KW - X-rays: stars

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SP - L25-L28

JO - Astrophysical Journal

JF - Astrophysical Journal

IS - 1 PART 2

ER -

Detection of X-rays from SN 1987A with ROSAT

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Keywords

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