EXPECTED GAMMA-RAY EMISSION OF SUPERNOVA REMNANT SN 1987A

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/732/1/58· OSTI ID:21574632

Berezhko, E G; Ksenofontov, L T ^[1]

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1. Yu.G. Shafer Institute of Cosmophysical Research and Aeronomy, 31 Lenin Avenue, 677980 Yakutsk (Russian Federation)

A nonlinear kinetic theory of cosmic ray (CR) acceleration in supernova remnants (SNRs) is employed to re-examine the nonthermal properties of the remnant of SN 1987A for an extended evolutionary period of 5-100 yr. It is shown that an efficient production of nuclear CRs leads to a strong modification of the outer SNR shock and to a large downstream magnetic field B{sub d} {approx} 20 mG. The shock modification and the strong field are required to yield the steep radio emission spectrum observed, as well as the considerable synchrotron cooling of high-energy electrons which diminishes their X-ray synchrotron flux. These features are also consistent with the existing X-ray observations. The expected {gamma}-ray energy flux at TeV energies at the current epoch is nearly {epsilon}{sub {gamma}} F{sub {gamma}} {approx} 4 x 10{sup -13} erg cm{sup 2} s{sup -1} under reasonable assumptions about the overall magnetic field topology and the turbulent perturbations of this field. The general nonthermal strength of the source is expected to increase roughly by a factor of two over the next 15-20 years; thereafter, it should decrease with time in a secular form.

• OSTI ID: 21574632
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 732; ISSN ASJOAB; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
ACCELERATION
COSMIC RADIATION
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
DISTURBANCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION
EMISSION SPECTRA
GAMMA RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATHEMATICS
MODIFICATIONS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS
TOPOLOGY