Andrew Yee[_1_]
February 23rd 07, 01:55 PM
ESA News
http://www.esa.int
23 February 2007
XMM-Newton's anniversary view of nearest detected supernova
Twenty years after the first detection of SN 1987A, the nearest supernova
ever detected so far, XMM-Newton provided a fresh-new view of this object.
The source keeps brightening -- XMM-Newton confirms.
The supernova SN 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud is the nearest
supernova detected since the invention of the telescope. Almost 20 years
after its discovery on 23 February 1987, XMM-Newton observed the stellar
remnant in X-rays on 17 January 2007. Continuously brightening since the
first detection in X-rays by ROSAT in 1992, it now outshines all other X-ray
sources in its immediate neighbourhood and it is more than ten times
brighter as compared to the first-light observations of XMM-Newton in
January 2000.
SN 1987A provides the unique opportunity for detailed studies of the
earliest stages of a supernova remnant.
Observations across the whole electromagnetic spectrum revealed a detailed
picture of the circumstellar medium produced by the stellar wind from the
massive pregenitor star during its 'supergiant' phases.
The X-rays we see mainly originate from the interaction of the supernova
shock with this circumstellar medium. Their detailed analysis will gain
further insights into the physics of the explosion and may reveal eventually
the presence of a central compact object like a neutron star.
For more information:
Frank Haberl , XMM-Newton's EPIC Principal Investigator
Email: fwh @ mpe.mpg.de
Norbert Schartel, ESA XMM-Newton Project Scientist
Email: norbert.schartel @ sciops.esa.int
[NOTE: Images and weblinks supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMPE0CE8YE_index_1.html ]
http://www.esa.int
23 February 2007
XMM-Newton's anniversary view of nearest detected supernova
Twenty years after the first detection of SN 1987A, the nearest supernova
ever detected so far, XMM-Newton provided a fresh-new view of this object.
The source keeps brightening -- XMM-Newton confirms.
The supernova SN 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud is the nearest
supernova detected since the invention of the telescope. Almost 20 years
after its discovery on 23 February 1987, XMM-Newton observed the stellar
remnant in X-rays on 17 January 2007. Continuously brightening since the
first detection in X-rays by ROSAT in 1992, it now outshines all other X-ray
sources in its immediate neighbourhood and it is more than ten times
brighter as compared to the first-light observations of XMM-Newton in
January 2000.
SN 1987A provides the unique opportunity for detailed studies of the
earliest stages of a supernova remnant.
Observations across the whole electromagnetic spectrum revealed a detailed
picture of the circumstellar medium produced by the stellar wind from the
massive pregenitor star during its 'supergiant' phases.
The X-rays we see mainly originate from the interaction of the supernova
shock with this circumstellar medium. Their detailed analysis will gain
further insights into the physics of the explosion and may reveal eventually
the presence of a central compact object like a neutron star.
For more information:
Frank Haberl , XMM-Newton's EPIC Principal Investigator
Email: fwh @ mpe.mpg.de
Norbert Schartel, ESA XMM-Newton Project Scientist
Email: norbert.schartel @ sciops.esa.int
[NOTE: Images and weblinks supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMPE0CE8YE_index_1.html ]