Self-consistent models for the X-ray emission from supernova remnants

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6060958

Hughes, J P

A novel solution to the problem of time dependent ionization in shock heated plasmas has been developed and incorporated into a standard, spherically symmetric hydrodynamic shock code. The approach to the ionization calculation is to use the eigenvalue method of solution for the matrix formed from the coupled system of rate equations expressing the time development of the ionization structure. An important tool for studying the evolution of supernova remnants has been developed. As a first application all of the available observations of the remnant of Kepler's supernova (SN 1604) obtained with the imaging and spectral instruments of the Einstein Observatory have been fitted. Two classes of models adequately describe the data: (1) a Sedov model, requiring near solar abundances, and (2) a reverse-shock model, which requires significant heavy element overabundances. The implications of this result are discussed. The distributions of luminosity, spectrum, and diameter were examined for an X-ray selected sample of supernovae remnants in the Large Magellanic Cloud.

• Research Organization: Columbia Univ., New York (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6060958
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
EIGENVALUES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EMISSION SPECTRA
FLUID MECHANICS
HEATING
HYDRODYNAMICS
IONIZATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LUMINOSITY
MECHANICS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLASMA HEATING
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS
TIME DEPENDENCE
X RADIATION