The unusual supernova remnant surrounding the ultraluminous X-ray source IC 342 X-1

Roberts, T.P.; Goad, M.R.; Ward, M.J.; Warwick, R.S.

Abstract

We report the results of an observation of a large-diameter (110 pc) supernova remnant (SNR) found to encircle the position of the ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) IC 342 X-1. The inferred initial energy input to the SNR is at least 2-3 times greater than the canonical energy for an `ordinary' SNR. Two regions on the inside of the shell are bright in [O III]λ5007 emission, possibly as the result of X-ray photoionization by the ULX. If this is the case, then the morphology of this nebulosity implies that the X-ray emission from the ULX is anisotropic. The presence of the ULX, most probably a black hole X-ray binary, within an unusually energetic SNR suggests that we may be observing the aftermath of a gamma-ray burst, although other origins for the energetic nebula are discussed.

Citation

Roberts, T., Goad, M., Ward, M., & Warwick, R. (2003). The unusual supernova remnant surrounding the ultraluminous X-ray source IC 342 X-1. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 342(3), 709-714. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-8711.2003.06593.x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2003-07
• Deposit Date: Apr 29, 2008
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 29, 2008
• Journal: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
• Print ISSN: 0035-8711
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2966
• Publisher: Royal Astronomical Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 342
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 709-714
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-8711.2003.06593.x
• Keywords: Black hole physics, Supernova remnants, Galaxies, IC 342, X-rays.