Investigation of CTA 1 using a Suzaku observation

Lupin C.C. Lin, Jumpei Takata, Albert K.H. Kong, C. Y. Hui, Teruaki Enoto, H. K. Chang, Regina H.H. Huang, J. S. Liang, Shinpei Shibata, C. Y. Hwang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report on a 105-ks Suzaku observation (obsid 404011010 with J. Takata as PI) of the supernova remnant CTA 1 (G119.5+10.2). The Suzaku soft X-ray observation was carried out using both the timing and imaging modes.A∼10-arcmin extended feature, which is interpreted as a bow-shock component of the pulsar wind nebula, is revealed in this deep observation for the first time. The nebular spectrum can be modelled by a power law with a photon index of∼1.8, which suggests a slow synchrotron cooling scenario. The photon index is approximately constant across this extended feature. We compare our observations of this complex nebula with previous X-ray investigations, and we discuss our findings. We do not obtain any significant pulsation from the central pulsar in the soft (0.2-12 keV) and hard (10-60 keV) X-ray data. The non-detection is mainly a result of the loss of the precise imaging ability to accurately determine the source contribution. The spectra from the X-ray imaging spectrometer and the hard X-ray detector can be directly connected without a significant spectral break, according to our analysis. Future observations by the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) and Astro-H might be able to resolve the contamination and provide an accurate hard X-ray measurement of CTA 1.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2283-2290
Number of pages8
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume426
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Nov 2012

Keywords

  • ISM: Supernova remnants
  • Pulsars: general
  • Stars: winds, outflows
  • Time
  • X-rays: general

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