Determining 44Ti Abundances in CasA with X-ray Astronomy

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

Current theory holds that radioactive 44Ti (/tau1/2=60y) produced in supernovae is the source for the abundance of 44Ca in our Galaxy. The decay chain of 44Ti-->44Sc-->44Ca produces several detectable gamma-ray lines, most notably the 1157 keV nuclear de-excitation of 44Ca. However, the electron capture by which 44Ti becomes 44Sc leaves a gap in the K-shell and can lead to subsequent photon emission. This emission should be detectable as an X-ray line at 4.1 keV in young supernova remnants (SNR). Thus 44Ti as a product of supernova nucleosynthesis may directly measured through detection of these X-ray lines.
CasA, a realtively young galactic Type II SNR bright in the X-ray band is a logical place to search for 44Ti. Gamma-ray lines emitted by the daughter nucleus 44Ca has already been detected in CasA using the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (Iyudin, et.al. 1994). Given the wealth of X-ray observations of the CasA SNR and these detections, we have begun a search for this X-ray line. Employing public data from both NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and the ESA's X-ray Multiple Mirror Mission (XMM), we have generated X-ray spectra and utilized best-fit models to determine line strengths. Preliminary results return a 2σ upper limit to the 4.1 keV line flux of 3.0*10-5. This non-detection is not in conflict with the aforementioned gamma-ray observations.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Determining 44Ti Abundances in CasA with X-ray Astronomy does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Determining 44Ti Abundances in CasA with X-ray Astronomy, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Determining 44Ti Abundances in CasA with X-ray Astronomy will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1419242

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.