The X-ray structure and mass of the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

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Cassiopeia A, Maximum Entropy Method, Supernova Remnants, X Ray Astronomy, X Ray Spectra, Bremsstrahlung, Plasma Radiation, Stellar Evolution

Scientific paper

The X-ray images of the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant from the Einstein Observatory have been processed by a maximum-entropy algorithm. The emission appears to originate in two concentric thin shells. The image of highest resolution (about 4 arcsec) is used to derive temperature and density maps of the remnant assuming that the X-ray emission is thermal and from an optically thin hot gas. These maps are consistent with both pressure equilibrium and the overall X-ray spectrum. The mass of X-ray emitting gas is found to be at least 15 solar masses, which is considerably more than observed directly at other wavelengths. The X-ray structure and dynamics of Cas A are consistent with it being in a 'free-expansion' phase of evolution, with the bulk of the emission from a reverse shock in the ejecta.

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