The unusual supernova remnant surrounding the ultraluminous X-ray source IC 342 X-1 |
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| Authors: | T P Roberts M R Goad M J Ward R S Warwick |
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| Institution: | X-ray and Observational Astronomy Group, Department of Physics &Astronomy, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH;Department of Physics &Astronomy, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ |
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| 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. |
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| Keywords: | black hole physics supernova remnants galaxies: individual: IC 342 X-rays: binaries X-rays: galaxies |
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