FERMI-LAT and WMAP Observations of the PUPPIS a Supernova Remnant

J. W. Hewitt, M. H. Grondin, M. Lemoine-Goumard, T. Reposeur, J. Ballet, T. Tanaka

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We report the detection of GeV γ-ray emission from the supernova remnant (SNR) Puppis A with the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope . Puppis A is among the faintest SNRs yet detected at GeV energies, with a luminosity of only 2.7 × 1034 ( D /2.2 kpc)2 erg s−1 between 1 and 100 GeV. The γ-ray emission from the remnant is spatially extended, with a morphology matching that of the radio and X-ray emission, and is well described by a simple power law with an index of 2.1. We attempt to model the broadband spectral energy distribution (SED), from radio to γ-rays, using standard nonthermal emission mechanisms. To constrain the relativistic electron population we use 7 years of Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe data to extend the radio spectrum up to 93 GHz. Both leptonic- and hadronic-dominated models can reproduce the nonthermal SED, requiring a total content of cosmic-ray electrons and protons accelerated in Puppis A of at least W CR ≈ (1–5) × 1049 erg.

Original languageEnglish
Article number89
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume759
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 10 2012
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Keywords

  • acceleration of particles
  • cosmic rays
  • ISM: individual objects (Puppis A)
  • radiation mechanisms: non-thermal
  • Astronomy
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Astrophysics
  • Earth, ocean, space
  • Emission
  • Exact sciences and technology
  • High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
  • ISM
  • Mathematical models
  • Microwaves
  • non-thermal radiation mechanisms
  • physics
  • radio
  • sciences of the Universe
  • Space telescopes
  • Spectral energy distribution
  • Supernova remnants

Disciplines

  • Astrophysics and Astronomy
  • Cosmology, Relativity, and Gravity
  • Stars, Interstellar Medium and the Galaxy

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