Evolution of the Chandra CCD Spectra of SNR 1987A: Probing the Reflected-Shock Picture

TL;DR

This paper validates the reflected shock structure model for SNR 1987A using Chandra X-ray spectra, showing it can explain the remnant's expansion, light curve, and emission origins, advancing the physical understanding of this supernova remnant.

Contribution

The study improves the RSS model and demonstrates its effectiveness in analyzing SNR 1987A's X-ray and radio emissions over time.

Findings

RSS model matches expansion velocity and light curve

X-ray and radio emissions may originate from the same shock

Long-term grating data analysis can refine physical models

Abstract

We continue to explore the validity of the reflected shock structure (RSS) picture in SNR 1987A that was proposed in our previous analyses of the X-ray emission from this object. We used an improved version of our RSS model in a global analysis of 14 CCD spectra from the monitoring program with Chandra. In the framework of the RSS picture, we are able to match both the expansion velocity curve deduced from the analysis of the X-ray images and light curve. Using a simplified analysis, we also show that the X-rays and the non-thermal radio emission may originate from the same shock structure (the blast wave). We believe that using the RSS model in the analysis of grating data from the Chandra monitoring program of SNR 1987A that cover a long enough time interval, will allow us to build a more realistic physical picture and model of SNR 1987A.