An X-ray map of SN 1006 from the Einstein Observatory

An X-ray map of the SN 1006 supernova remnant acquired by the imaging proportional counter of the Einstein Observatory in the energy range 0.1-4 keV is presented. The image obtained from the imaging proportional counter shows a limb-brightened nebula, almost circular in outline with enhanced emission in two quadrants. The hardness ratio map reveals a large range of temperatures over the object, with the highest values near the limbs of the enhanced emission regions. Consideration of a three-dimensional model of the object indicates the presence of a shell of electron temperature varying between 10 to the 6th and 10 to the 7th K and density varying between 0.3 and 6/cu cm surrounding a fairly uniform interior, of electron temperature 1.5 x 10 to the 6th K and density 1.0/cu cm. The optical filaments are observed to lie parallel with the faintest edge of the X-ray shell, about 1 arcmin from the peak of X-ray emission. Mass visible in the X-ray image of 5-15 solar masses suggests that the supernova may have been of type II. No evidence is obtained for a hot stellar remnant.