Galactic Supernova Remnants

Recent X-ray Observations of Supernova Remnants and their Interpretation

“…Using the brightness distribution observed with the HRI, a two-circularshell geometry and assuming pressure equilibrium, Fabian et al (1980) has constructed a CEI temperature and density map revealing considerable variations within the remnant. In collaboration with the Naval Research Laboratory, the MPI group has obtained a spectrally resolved image on a sounding rocket flight (Aschenbach 1985). Using CEI emission and the element abundance of Becker et al (1979), a temperature map has been derived, which confirms and expands the Einstein IPC results.…”

“…Since the broad band transmission of the Lexan and boron filters used, is X-ray energy dependent, the ratio of the two X-ray fluxes depends on the source spectrum. In case of a CEI plasma of cosmic abundance the filter ratio scales approximately with log T and thus by dividing the two images a CEI temperature map of Puppis-A has been produced with a resolution of 1-arcmin and better (Aschenbach 1985). The map shows a great deal of temperature structure on scales even as small as the angular resolution limit and with temperatures between 5.9 £ log T _< 7.1.…”

“…It was in fact the Einstein observatory with its imaging and spectroscopic capability through which substantial progress has been made in supernova remnant research. Since then further contributions have come from the EXOSAT observatory of the European Space Agency, a preliminary account of which has been given by Aschenbach (1985), the Japanese Tenma satellite and a few sounding rocket experiments. Unlike radio and optical observations X-ray observations can be done exclusively from space and therefore substantial observational research is limited to the rare opportunities of X-ray astronomy satellites.…”

X-Ray Emission from Supernova Remnants

“…Various fields within Puppis-A have been observed with the FPCS and the SSS, and in particular the latter show quite a change in the energy spectrum, above all, the spectrum is hardest at the rim positions, which one is inclined to interpret as the hotter blast wave region. A complete temperature map of Puppis-A with a resolution of 1 arcmin has become available with EXOSAT using low energy filter spectroscopy (Aschenbach, 1985). There is quite a variation in temperature of an order of magnitude.…”

“…Future experiments with simultaneous spatial and spectral resolution as well as broad band coverage to include the Fe-K line complex are mandatory. A more detailed review on galactic thermal supernova remnants can be found in the paper by Aschenbach, 1985. THE CPAB NEBULA It is in some sense obvious that the morphology of extended supernova remnants bears clues to the origin of the energy production and transport mechanism, but only a few ideas have emerged so far for thermal remnants. For the Crab-like remnants the situation is apparently simple, as the rotating neutron star is known as the energy source.…”