SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL 72075

DR. ROBERT PETRE
ROB@HATRACK.GSFC.NASA.GOV

NASA / GSFC
CODE 662, GSFC
GREENBELT
MD USA 20771
Tel: (301) 286-3844 Fax: (301) 286-1684
Medium: CD ROM
Subject: SUPERNOVA REMNANTS AND GALACTIC DIFFUSE EMISSION

SEARCH FOR NONTHERMAL X-RAY EMISSION FROM SHELL-LIKE LMC SNRS


ABSTRACT

Our systematic search for nonthermal X-ray emission from the shock fronts of young LMC SNRs has yielded evidence of hard spectral components in several remnants. The existing observations are brief (20-40 ks) so characterizing the spectral form is difficult. This difficulty is compounded by the presence of Fe K emission from at least 3 SNRs, indicating a hard thermal component. We propose deep (90-140 ks) followup observations of the four remnants most likely to have a nonthermal component: N23, N63A, N132D & N49. The Fe K line is either absent from the spectra of these SNRs, or is well characterized. These observations will allow us to meaningfully compare the nonthermal luminosity of LMC remnants with that of Galactic SNRs.

CO-INVESTIGATORS
CO-I NAME INSTITUTE COUNTRY
UNA HWANGGSFC/UMDUSA
ERIC GOTTHELFCOLUMBIAUSA
JONATHAN KEOHANENCSSMUSA

TARGETS

TARGET NAMEPRIRADECTIMETCOFFGISSIS CNTOBS
1)N23
C
76.5083-68.0969
120 ks
N
Y
P
0.40000
1
2)N63A
C
83.9125-66.0644
90 ks
N
Y
P
0.85000
1