scholarly journals Spatially resolved X-ray study of supernova remnants that host magnetars: Implication of their fossil field origin

2019 ◽  
Vol 629 ◽  
pp. A51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Zhou ◽  
Jacco Vink ◽  
Samar Safi-Harb ◽  
Marco Miceli

Magnetars are regarded as the most magnetized neutron stars in the Universe. Aiming to unveil what kinds of stars and supernovae can create magnetars, we have performed a state-of-the-art spatially resolved spectroscopic X-ray study of the supernova remnants (SNRs) Kes 73, RCW 103, and N49, which host magnetars 1E 1841−045, 1E 161348−5055, and SGR 0526−66, respectively. The three SNRs are O- and Ne-enhanced and are evolving in the interstellar medium with densities of > 1 − 2 cm−3. The metal composition and dense environment indicate that the progenitor stars are not very massive. The progenitor masses of the three magnetars are constrained to be < 20 M⊙ (11–15 M⊙ for Kes 73, ≲13 M⊙ for RCW 103, and ∼13 − 17 M⊙ for N49). Our study suggests that magnetars are not necessarily made from very massive stars, but originate from stars that span a large mass range. The explosion energies of the three SNRs range from 1050 erg to ∼2 × 1051 erg, further refuting that the SNRs are energized by rapidly rotating (millisecond) pulsars. We report that RCW 103 is produced by a weak supernova explosion with significant fallback, as such an explosion explains the low explosion energy (∼1050 erg), small observed metal masses (MO ∼ 4 × 10−2 M⊙ and MNe ∼ 6 × 10−3 M⊙), and sub-solar abundances of heavier elements such as Si and S. Our study supports the fossil field origin as an important channel to produce magnetars, given the normal mass range (MZAMS <  20 M⊙) of the progenitor stars, the low-to-normal explosion energy of the SNRs, and the fact that the fraction of SNRs hosting magnetars is consistent with the magnetic OB stars with high fields.

2001 ◽  
Vol 205 ◽  
pp. 358-365
Author(s):  
Patrick Slane ◽  
John P. Hughes ◽  
Cara E. Rakowski ◽  
David N. Burrows ◽  
John A. Nousek ◽  
...  

With sub-arcsecond angular resolution accompanied by fast time resolution and spatially resolved spectral capabilities, the Chandra X-ray Observatory provides a unique capability for the study of supernova remnants (SNRs) and pulsars. Though in its relative infancy, Chandra has already returned stunning images of SNRs which reveal the distribution of ejecta synthesized in the stellar explosions, the distinct properties of the forward and reverse shocks, and the presence of faint shells surrounding compact remnants. Pulsar observations have uncovered jet features as well as small-scaled structures in synchrotron nebulae. In this brief review we discuss results from early Chandra studies of pulsars and SNRs.


2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (H15) ◽  
pp. 283-283
Author(s):  
Philip J. Humphrey ◽  
David A. Buote

Understanding the process of metal enrichment is one of the key problems for our picture of structure formation and evolution, in which early-type galaxies are a crucial ingredient. X-ray observations provide a powerful tool for measuring the metal distributions in their hot ISM, which is shaped by their entire history of star-formation, evolution and feedback. In Fig 1 (left panel), we summarize the results of a Chandra survey of metals in early-type galaxies, supplemented with Suzaku data (Humphrey & Buote 2006, P. Humphrey et al., in prep.). Chandra is particularly suited to this study, as it enables temperature gradients and X-ray point sources to be resolved, mitigating two important sources of bias (e.g., Buote & Fabian 1998; Fabbiano et al. 1994). We found on average that the ISM is at least as metal-rich as the stars, and we did not find the problematical, highly sub-solar, abundances historically reported. The abundance ratios of O, Ne, Mg, Si and S with respect to Fe are similar to the centres of massive groups and clusters, suggesting homology in the enrichment process over a wide mass range. Finally, using high-quality Suzaku data, we were able to resolve, for the first time in a galaxy-scale (≲1013M⊙) object, a radial abundance gradient similar to those seen in some bright galaxy groups (Fig. 1, right panel).


1983 ◽  
Vol 101 ◽  
pp. 99-107
Author(s):  
J. Michael Shull

X-ray spectra of young supernova remnants (SNR's) are perhaps the most spectacular examples of hot, line-emitting astrophysical plasmas. Heated to temperatures of 1 to 10 keV and enriched with the heavy element products of stellar nucleosynthesis, the plasma inside these SNR's emits prodigiously in lines of 0, Ne, Mg, Si, S, Ar, Ca, and Fe. Theoretical models of this emission provide measures of the plasma temperature and density, elemental abundances, and the degree of approach to ionization equilibrium. Thus, astrophysicists are offered the opportunity to test their understanding of the supernova explosion, its interaction with the interstellar medium, and the nucleo-synthetic processes which enrich our galaxy with heavy elements.


2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (2) ◽  
pp. 1692-1699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos N Gourgouliatos ◽  
Rainer Hollerbach ◽  
Andrei P Igoshev

ABSTRACT Central Compact Objects (CCOs) are X-ray sources with luminosity ranging between 1032 and 1034 erg s−1, located at the centres of supernova remnants. Some of them have been confirmed to be neutron stars. Timing observations have allowed the estimation of their dipole magnetic field, placing them in the range ∼1010–1011 G. The decay of their weak dipole fields, mediated by the Hall effect and Ohmic dissipation, cannot provide sufficient thermal energy to power their X-ray luminosity, as opposed to magnetars whose X-ray luminosities are comparable. Motivated by the question of producing high X-ray power through magnetic field decay while maintaining a weak dipole field, we explore the evolution of a crustal magnetic field that does not consist of an ordered axisymmetric structure, but rather comprises a tangled configuration. This can be the outcome of a non-self-excited dynamo, buried inside the crust by fallback material following the supernova explosion. We find that such initial conditions lead to the emergence of the magnetic field from the surface of the star and the formation of a dipolar magnetic field component. An internal tangled magnetic field of the order of 1014 G can provide sufficient Ohmic heating to the crust and power CCOs, while the dipole field it forms is approximately 1010 G, as observed in CCOs.


2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (S296) ◽  
pp. 315-319
Author(s):  
Marco Miceli ◽  
F. Bocchino ◽  
A. Decourchelle ◽  
G. Maurin ◽  
J. Vink ◽  
...  

AbstractSupernova remnant shocks are strong candidates for being the source of energetic cosmic rays and hadron acceleration is expected to increase the shock compression ratio, providing higher post-shock densities. We exploited the deep observations of the XMM-Newton Large Program on SN 1006 to verify this prediction. Spatially resolved spectral analysis led us to detect X-ray emission from the shocked ambient medium in SN 1006 and to find that its density significantly increases in regions where particle acceleration is efficient. Our results provide evidence for the effects of acceleration of cosmic ray hadrons on the post-shock plasma in supernova remnants.


2018 ◽  
Vol 618 ◽  
pp. A155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iurii Sushch ◽  
Robert Brose ◽  
Martin Pohl

Vela Jr. (RX J0852.0−4622) is one of just a few known supernova remnants (SNRs) with a resolved shell across the whole electromagnetic spectrum from radio to very-high-energy (>100 GeV; VHE) gamma-rays. Its proximity and large size allow for detailed spatially resolved observations of the source, making Vela Jr. one of the primary sources used for the study of particle acceleration and emission mechanisms in SNRs. High-resolution X-ray observations reveal a steepening of the spectrum toward the interior of the remnant. In this study we aim for a self-consistent radiation model of Vela Jr. which at the same time would explain the broadband emission from the source and its intensity distribution. We solve the full particle transport equation combined with the high-resolution one-dimensional (1D) hydrodynamic simulations (using Pluto code) and subsequently calculate the radiation from the remnant. The equations are solved in the test particle regime. We test two models for the magnetic field profile downstream of the shock: damped magnetic field, which accounts for the damping of strong magnetic turbulence downstream, and transported magnetic field. Neither of these scenarios can fully explain the observed radial dependence of the X-ray spectrum under spherical symmetry. We show, however, that the softening of the spectrum and the X-ray intensity profile can be explained under the assumption that the emission is enhanced within a cone.


2005 ◽  
Vol 192 ◽  
pp. 269-274
Author(s):  
Elena Sorokina ◽  
Sergey Blinnikov

SummaryThe successful theoretical supernova explosion models should be able to explain any features of the emission from supernovae at any evolutionary stage. We check several models from two different points of view. With the multi-frequency radiation hydro code STELLA we calculate gamma-ray, bolometric and broad-band UBVI light curves. Then we use the same models to calculate the emission from young supernova remnants. Here we present new plots for gamma-ray luminosity from several SN Ia models and recomputations of bolometric and UBVRI light curves of model 13C for SN 1993J.


2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S291) ◽  
pp. 480-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Safi-Harb ◽  
H. S. Kumar

AbstractThe distinction between the high-magnetic field pulsars (HBPs, thought to be mainly rotation-powered) and magnetars (commonly believed to be powered by their super-strong magnetic fields) has been recently blurred with the discovery of magnetar-like activity from the HBP J1846–0258 in the SNR Kes 75. What determines the spin properties of a neutron star at birth and its manifestation as a magnetar-like or more classical pulsar is still not clear. Furthermore, although a few studies have suggested very massive progenitors for magnetars, there is currently no consensus on the progenitors of these objects. To address these questions, we examine their environments by studying or revisiting their securely associated SNRs. Our approach is to: 1) infer the mass of their progenitor stars through X-ray spectroscopic studies of the thermally emitting supernova ejecta, and 2) investigate the physical properties of their hosting SNRs and ambient conditions. We here highlight our detailed studies of two SNRs: G292.2–0.5, associated with the HBP J1119–6127, and Kes 73, associated with the AXP 1E 1841–045, and summarize the current view of the other (handful) HBP/magnetar-SNR associations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 615 ◽  
pp. A157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Greco ◽  
Marco Miceli ◽  
Salvatore Orlando ◽  
Giovanni Peres ◽  
Eleonora Troja ◽  
...  

Context. IC 443 is a supernova remnant (SNR) located in a quite complex environment since it interacts with nearby clouds. Indications for the presence of overionized plasma have been found though the possible physical causes of overionization are still debated. Moreover, because of its peculiar position and proper motion, it is not clear if the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) within the remnant is the relic of the IC 443 progenitor star or just a rambling one seen in projection on the remnant. Aims. Here we address the study of IC 443 plasma in order to clarify the relationship PWN-remnant, the presence of overionization and the origin of the latter. Methods. We analyzed two XMM-Newton observations producing background-subtracted, vignetting-corrected and mosaicked images in two different energy bands and we performed a spatially resolved spectral analysis of the X-ray emission. Results. We identified an elongated (jet-like) structure with Mg-rich plasma in overionization. The head of the jet is interacting with a molecular cloud and the jet is aligned with the position of the PWN at the instant of the supernova explosion. Interestingly, the direction of the jet of ejecta is somehow consistent with the direction of the PWN jet. Conclusions. Our discovery of a jet of ejecta in IC 443 enlarge the sample of core-collapse SNRs with collimated ejecta structures. IC 443’s jet is the first one which shows overionized plasma, possibly associated with the adiabatic expansion of ejecta. The match between the jet’s direction and the original position of the PWN strongly supports the association between the neutron star and IC 443.


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