Gamma-ray lines produced by low-energy cosmic rays in SN 1987A

Abstract

view Abstract Citations References (27) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Gamma-Ray Lines Produced by Low-Energy Cosmic Rays in SN 1987A Ebisuzaki, Toshikazu ; Takahashi, Yoshiyuki ; Shibazaki, Noriaki Abstract The ^56^Fe nuclei excited by the inelastic collision of protons with the energy of around 10 MeV emit gamma rays in the same nuclear gamma-ray lines as those from the radioactive decay of ^56^Co. Since a very young supernova remnant like SN 1987A is most likely to accelerate cosmic rays by the shock and a possible pulsar embedded in the ejecta, this process may account for the gamma-ray lines observed from SN 1987A. We have investigated the conditions required to explain the observed flux of the gamma-ray lines. We found that this process requires a nonspherical distribution of the ejecta so strong as to produce a well-collimated cosmic-ray jet having a large fraction of the total kinetic energy of the supernova explosion. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: May 1989 DOI: 10.1086/167449 Bibcode: 1989ApJ...340..950E Keywords: Cosmic Rays; Gamma Ray Astronomy; Gamma Ray Spectra; Supernova 1987a; Cosmic X Rays; Emission Spectra; Iron Isotopes; Particle Acceleration; Pulsars; Radioactive Isotopes; Astrophysics; COSMIC RAYS: GENERAL; GAMMA RAYS: GENERAL; STARS: INDIVIDUAL ALPHANUMERIC: SN 1987A; STARS: SUPERNOVAE full text sources ADS | data products NED (2) SIMBAD (1)