Work

ASCADiscovery of Diffuse 6.4 keV Emission near the Sagittarius C Complex: A New X‐Ray Reflection Nebula

Year: 2001

Type: article

Abstract: We present an ASCA discovery of diffuse hard X-ray emission from the Sgr C complex with its peak in the vicinity of the molecular cloud core. The X-ray spectrum is characterized by a strong 6.4 keV line and large absorption. These properties suggest that Sgr C is a new X-ray reflection nebula that emits fluorescent and scattered X-rays via irradiation from an external X-ray source. We found no adequately bright source in the immediate Sgr C vicinity to fully account for the fluorescence. The irradiating source may be the Galactic nucleus Sgr A*, which was brighter in the past than it is now, as is suggested from observations of the first X-ray reflection nebula Sgr B2.

Source: The Astrophysical Journal

DOI: 10.1086/319737

Authors: Hiroshi Murakami, Katsuji Koyama, Masahiro Tsujimoto, Yoshitomo Maeda, Masaaki Sakano

Institutions: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Kyoto University, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Pennsylvania State University

Language: English

Topic: Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W2124572456

FWCI: 3.057

Cites: 12

Cited by: 60

Related to: 10