SN 1006 X-ray spectra from OSO 8

SN 1006 was a breakthrough in our understanding of the acceleration of cosmic rays in SNR shocks. This spectrum of SN 1006 taken with OSO 8 shows the characteristic signature for synchrotron emission, a flat, hard spectrum. Synchrotron emission arises when high energy electrons are accelerated in a magnetic field. From the spectrum it is possible to deduce what energies these electrons had. The localization of the X-ray emission to the bright rims of the remnant shows that the electrons have been accelerated by the SNR forward shock.


SN 1006 X-ray spectra



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Last modified: Thursday, 26-Jun-2003 13:48:44 EDT