The Enigmatic Central Object of the RCW 103 Supernova Remnant

Details The Enigmatic Central Object of the RCW 103 Supernova Remnant The Enigmatic Central Object of the RCW 103 Supernova Remnant

Jul 2002

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002hst..prop.9467s&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #9467

Computer Science

Hst Proposal Id #9467

Scientific paper

X-ray observations of the young {2, 000 yrs} supernova remnant RCW 103 have revealed an enigmatic central object, originally claimed to be an isolated neutron star. However, long-term variability and 6-hr periodicity hint that this may be an accreting neutron star or a black hole, perhaps in a low-mass X-ray binary. Previous optical observations with 4-m class telescopes failed to find an optical counterpart {R > 24, V > 25.5}. Recent near-IR observations with the CTIO/OSIRIS and VLT-UT1/ISAAC revealed four objects within about 2'' radius circle around the X-ray position. One of these objects - which is 0arcs6 from the X-ray source position - is a plausible candidate for the IR counterpart of the X-ray source. To verify this hypothesis and understand the nature of the X-ray source, we propose deep imaging with NICMOS. An IR counterpart, variable at the X-ray period, and with brightness and broad-band spectrum consistent with a stellar object, would identify the source as an accreting binary with a subluminous companion. This would be the first discovery of a binary system inside a young SNR. Alternatively, a faint counterpart with a peculiar spectrum would indicate the presence of a long-hypothesized residual disk leftover after the supernova explosion.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Enigmatic Central Object of the RCW 103 Supernova Remnant 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 The Enigmatic Central Object of the RCW 103 Supernova Remnant, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Enigmatic Central Object of the RCW 103 Supernova Remnant will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-733560