EXOSAT observations of the remnant of SN 1006.

Abstract

The remnant produced by the supernova explosion of AD 1006 has been studied in X-rays with the Exosat Observatory. Images in the energy range 0.1-2 keV with resolution sufficient to resolve the limbs, obtained through three different filters, reveal a limb-brightened nebula containing clumps of emission and displaying large spectral variations with position. The three-dimensional structure has been deduced under simplifying assumptions, and is used, together with a broad-band (0.1-8 keV) spectrum, to derive a mass of X-ray emitting material (after correcting for a lack of ionization equilibrium) of 3.2-6.0 solar masses, indicating a Type I supernova origin. Hot material in the interior is confirmed. Comparison of X-ray and radio limb profiles supports a thermal origin for the X-rays. Evidence is found for a nonuniform distribution of the oxygen line emission discovered by previous investigations.