Chandra HETG Spectra of SN 1987A at 20 Years

We have undertaken deep, high-resolution observations of SN 1987A at approximately 20 years after its explosion with the Chandra HETG and LETG spectrometers. Here we present the HETG X-ray spectra of SN 1987A having unprecedented spectral resolution and signal-to-noise ratios in the 6-20 AA bandpass...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Astrophysical journal 2008-04, Vol.676 (2), p.L131-L134
Main Authors: Dewey, D, Zhekov, S. A, McCray, R, Canizares, C. R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astronomy
Earth, ocean, space
Exact sciences and technology
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Summary:We have undertaken deep, high-resolution observations of SN 1987A at approximately 20 years after its explosion with the Chandra HETG and LETG spectrometers. Here we present the HETG X-ray spectra of SN 1987A having unprecedented spectral resolution and signal-to-noise ratios in the 6-20 AA bandpass, which includes the H-like and He-like lines of Si, Mg, and Ne, as well as 0 vIII lines and bright Fe xvII lines. In joint analysis with LETG data, we find that there has been a significant decrease from 2004 to 2007 in the average temperature of the highest temperature component of the shocked-plasma emission. Model fitting of the profiles of individual HETG lines yields bulk kinematic velocities of the higher-Z ions, Mg and Si, that are significantly lower than those inferred from the LETG 2004 observations.
ISSN:1538-4357
0004-637X
1538-4357
DOI:10.1086/587549