High resolution X-ray spectroscopy of SN 1987 A: monitoring with XMM-Newton

Abstract

Context. The ongoing propagation of the supernova blast wave of SN 1987 A through its inner circumstellar ring has caused a drastic increase in X-ray luminosity in the past few years, which has allowed detailed high resolution X-ray spectroscopy to be performed with the Reflection Grating Spectrometer.
Aims: We report the results of our XMM-Newton monitoring of SN 1987 A, which may be used to follow the detailed evolution of the arising supernova remnant.
Methods: The fluxes and broadening of the numerous emission lines measured in the dispersed spectra provide information about the evolution of the X-ray emitting plasma and its dynamics. These were analyzed in combination with the EPIC-pn spectra, which allow a precise determination of the higher temperature plasma. We modeled individual emission lines and fitted plasma emission models.
Results: For observations between 2003 and 2007 in particular, we detect significant evolution in the plasma parameters and a deceleration of the radial velocity in the lower temperature plasma regions. We detected (at 3σ-level) an iron K feature in the coadded EPIC-pn spectra.
Conclusions: By comparing with Chandra grating observations in 2004, we observe a clear temporal coherence of the spectral evolution and the sudden deceleration of the expansion velocity detectable in X-ray images ~6100 days after the explosion.