MAXI/SSC all-sky maps from 0.7 keV to 4 keV. (31st January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nakahira, Satoshi; Tsunemi, Hiroshi; Tomida, Hiroshi; Nakashima, Shinya; Kataoka, Ryuho; Makishima, Kazuo
• Is Part Of: Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan. Volume 72:Number 2(2020:Apr.)
• Publication Date: 2020-01-31
• Subjects: ISM: bubbles -- ISM: structure -- X-rays: diffuse background -- X-rays: ISM; Astronomy -- Periodicals; 520.5
• DOI: 10.1093/pasj/psz139
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0004-6264

Abstract

Abstract: By accumulating data from the Solid-state Slit Camera (SSC) on board the MAXI mission from 2009 to 2011, diffuse X-ray background maps were obtained in energies of 0.7–1.0, 1.0–2.0, and 2.0–4.0 keV. They are the first to be derived with a solid-state instrument, and to be compared with the previous ROSAT all-sky survey result. While the SSC map in the highest energy band is dominated by point sources and the Galactic diffuse X-ray emission, that in 0.7–1.0 keV reveals an extended X-ray structure, of which the brightness distribution is very similar to that observed with ROSAT about 20 years before. As in the ROSAT result, the emission is dominated by a bright arc-like structure, which appears to be part of a circle of ∼50° radius centered at about ( l, b ) ∼ (340°, 15°). In addition, the SSC map suggests a fainter and larger ellipse, which is elongated in the north–south direction and roughly centered at the Galactic center. The spectrum of these structures is explained as thin thermal emission from a plasma, with a temperature of ∼0.31 keV and an abundance of ∼0.3 solar. Based on SSC observation conditions including low solar activity, the solar wind charge exchange signals are estimated to be negligible in the present SSC maps, as well as in the >0.56 keV ROSAT map. A brief discussion is given on the results obtained.