PROBING X-RAY ABSORPTION and OPTICAL EXTINCTION in the INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM USING CHANDRA OBSERVATIONS of SUPERNOVA REMNANTS

Dillon R. Foight, Tolga Güver, Feryal Özel, Patrick O. Slane

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

62 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present a comprehensive study of interstellar X-ray extinction using the extensive Chandra supernova remnant (SNR) archive and use our results to refine the empirical relation between the hydrogen column density and optical extinction. In our analysis, we make use of the large, uniform data sample to assess various systematic uncertainties in the measurement of the interstellar X-ray absorption. Specifically, we address systematic uncertainties that originate from (i) the emission models used to fit SNR spectra; (ii) the spatial variations within individual remnants; (iii) the physical conditions of the remnant such as composition, temperature, and non-equilibrium regions; and (iv) the model used for the absorption of X-rays in the interstellar medium. Using a Bayesian framework to quantify these systematic uncertainties, and combining the resulting hydrogen column density measurements with the measurements of optical extinction toward the same remnants, we find the empirical relation N H = (2.870.12) × 1021 A V cm-2, which is significantly higher than the previous measurements.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number66
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume826
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 20 2016

Keywords

  • ISM: supernova remnants
  • X-rays: ISM
  • dust
  • extinction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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