Limits on supernova rates and interstellar densities from X-ray observations of M101

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/164203· OSTI ID:5199496

Cox, D P; Mccammon, D

Measurements of the X-ray surface brightness of a face-on disk galaxy M101 have previously been used to place upper limits on the power radiated by a hot corona. Such analysis constrains the effective density of the disk; either it must be so low that the remnants drive a fast hot wind (low radiated power), or so high that the remnant temperature at overlap is low (low X-ray power). These X-ray measurements are used here to constrain the properties of the population of supernova remnants evolving in the disk. This adds a further constraint since young remnants evolving in higher density radiate more of their energy in X-rays, whether or not they eventually overlap to generate a hot corona. The strength of this second limit depends strongly on the density history of the remnants (e.g., evaporative vs. nonevaporative evolution) and on the assumed supernova rate. For evaporative evolution the analysis rules out the McKee (1977) and Ostriker (1977) interstellar medium model in particular and evaporative evolution in general unless the supernova rate is at least several times lower than current expectations. For standard Sedov evolutions, the density limit marginally admits 0.2/cu cm, a popular alternative to the McKee and Ostriker model. 13 references.

• Research Organization: Rice Univ., Houston, TX; Wisconsin Univ., Madison
• OSTI ID: 5199496
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 304; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
DENSITY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION SPECTRA
GALAXIES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
NEBULAE
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
STAR EVOLUTION
STELLAR ACTIVITY
STELLAR WINDS
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS
X RADIATION