Interpretation of the soft X-ray background - the effects of an embedded cloud geometry

Journal Article · Wed Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/164636· OSTI ID:6836545

Jakobsen, P; Kahn, S M

The existing observational data on the soft X-ray background are reexamined within the framework of a simple model that describes the basic embedded geometry expected in a supernova-dominated ISM. Formal expressions for the first and second statistical moments of the soft X-ray intensity are derived and are used to evaluate quantitatively the constraints imposed by the observational characteristics of the background. The shape of the intensity versus absorbing column density anticorrelation, the apparent lack of an energy dependence to this shape, the observed fluctuations in the soft X-ray intensities, and the observed brightening in the background toward the Galactic poles are considered. The implications of these constraints on the goemetry for models of the hot phase of the ISM are discussed. 45 references.

• Research Organization: ESA, Noordwijk, Netherlands; California Univ., Berkeley
• OSTI ID: 6836545
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Vol. 309
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BACKGROUND RADIATION
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
COSMIC PHOTONS
MILKY WAY
SOFT X RADIATION
COSMIC RADIATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
GALAXIES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
PHOTONS
RADIATIONS
SPACE
X RADIATION
640105* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Galaxies
640101 - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Cosmic Radiation