ASPCS
 
Back to Volume
Paper: Results from SWIFT/BAT Searches for Prompt Gamma-ray Emission from RS Ophiuchi and Other Novae
Volume: 401, RS Ophiuchi (2006) and the Recurrent Nova Phenomenon
Page: 323
Authors: Senziani, F.; Skinner, G.K.; Jean, P.; Hernanz, M.
Abstract: Nova explosions are expected to be observable in the hard X-ray/γ-ray domain due to electron-positron annihilation comptonized down to a few tens of keV. Positrons come from the radioactive decay of short-lived isotopes. The period during which such emission is strong is predicted to be very short – only a few hours – and to precede the visual discovery of the nova. We present results from retrospective searches in the SWIFT/BAT data for γ-ray emission from the direction of 18 novae during the period 20 days before and after their discovery. In the case of the recurrent nova RS Oph we obtained a 9.9 sigma detection in the 14-25 energy band, but this emission is probably due to shocks in the ejecta. For the other novae upper limits have so far been obtained.
Back to Volume