X-ray halos around supernova remnants

Abstract

The results are reported of an Einstein Observatory imaging proportional counter investigation of the X-ray halos of the four brightest young Galactic supernova remnants: the Crab Nebula, Cas A, Tycho's, and Kepler's supernova remnant. It is found that the size, shape, and rough intensity of each of these sources are consistent with the measured properties of the X-ray halos of compact Galactic X-ray sources, and as such are consistent with an origin due solely to the scattering of X-rays by interstellar grains.