Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

A search for soft X-rays from supernova 1987A

Abstract

On 23 February 1987, supernova 1987A exploded in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). This event offers the possibility of studying the evolution of a nearby supernova remnant from the earliest beginnings over the entire electromagnetic spectrum with unprecedented sensitivity. We searched for soft X-ray emission (0.2–2.1 keV) from SN1987A by means of a sounding rocket-borne experiment on 24 August. No positive signal was detected, and an upper limit for the luminosity of 1.5x1036erg s–1, between 0.2–2.1 keV at a 95% confidence level has been derived.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. 1. Trumpet, J., Aschenbach, B. & Brauninger, H. SPIE Proc. 184, 12-19 (1979). 2. Aschenbach, B., Brauninger, Ondrusch, A. & Triimper, J. SPIE Proc. 184, 148-152 (1979). 3. Pfeffermann, E. & Briel, U. Adv. Space Res. 2, 255-258 (1983). 4. Heiles, C. & Cleary, M. N. Aust. J. Phys. astrophys. Suppl. 47, 1-58 (1979). 5. Pacini, F. ESO Conf. on SN1987A Garching, July 1987. 6. McCray, R., Shull, J. M. & Sutherland, P. Astrophys. J. 317, L73-L77 (1987). 7. Grebenev, S. A. & Sunyaev, R. A. Soviet Astr. Lett. 13, 945-963 (1987). 8. Gry, C., Cassatella, A., Wamsteker, W. & Sanz, L. IAU Circ. No. 4324 (1987). 9. Chevalier, R. A. & Fransson, C. Nature 328, 44-45 (1987). 10. Itoh, H., Hayakawa, S., Masai, K. & Nomoto, K. Publs astr. Soc. Japan 39, 529-537 (1987). 11. Norris, R. P. et al. IAU Circ. No. 4432 (1987). 12. Canizares, C. R., Kriss, G. A. & Feigelson, E. D. Astrophys. J. 253, L17-L21 (1982).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Aschenbach, B., Briel, U., Pfeffermann, E. et al. A search for soft X-rays from supernova 1987A. Nature 330, 232–233 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/330232a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/330232a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing