Work

X-ray Afterglow of Swift J1644+57: a Compton Echo?

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Swift, Chandra, and XMM have found a weak but nearly constant X-ray component from Swift J1644+57 that appeared at ∼500 days and was visible at least until ∼1400 days after the stellar capture, which cannot be explained by standard tidal disruption theories. We suggest that this X-ray afterglow component may result from the Thomson scattering between the primary X-rays and its surrounding plasma, i.e., a Compton echo effect. Similar phenomena have also been observed from molecular clouds in our Galactic Center, which were caused by the past activity of Srg A*. If this interpretation of Swift J1644+57 afterglow is correct, this is the first Compton Echo effect observed in the cosmological distances.

Source: The Astrophysical Journal Letters

DOI: 10.3847/2041-8205/816/1/l10

Authors: K. S. Cheng, D. O. Chernyshov, V. A. Dogiel, Albert K. H. Kong, C. M. Ko

Institutions: University of Hong Kong, P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, National Tsing Hua University, National Central University

Language: English

Topic: Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Russian Foundation for Fundamental Investigations, Dynasty Foundation

Award: G2894377157