An upper limit for the total energy of relativistic particles contained in the early stages of supernova explosions

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (8) References (20) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS An upper limit for the total energy of relativistic particles contained in the early stages of supernova explosions. Beall, J. H. Abstract A model is proposed for the emission of X-rays from supernova explosions wherein the thermal distribution of photons from a supernova photosphere is inverse Compton scattered by relativistic electrons within or near the surface of the star. Using this model, upper limits for the number of relativistic electrons and their total energy are established on the basis of upper limits to the observed X-ray luminosity of a supernova during maximum light. These upper limits, in conjunction with radio frequency upper limits obtained by Brown and Marscher, strongly suggest that supernovae do not produce significant numbers of relativistic particles until at least 70 years after the initial outburst. This, in turn, implies that young supernovae cannot account for the radio and X-ray variability of active galactic nuclei and quasars. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: June 1979 DOI: 10.1086/157129 Bibcode: 1979ApJ...230..713B Keywords: Electron Energy; Galactic Nuclei; High Energy Electrons; Relativistic Particles; Supernovae; X Ray Sources; Active Galactic Nuclei; Astronomical Models; Compton Effect; Luminous Intensity; Photosphere; Quasars; Astrophysics; Supernovae:Explosions; Supernovae:X Rays full text sources ADS |