The broad-band X-ray spectrum of the Cas A supernova remnant as seen by the BeppoSAX observatory

Abstract

We present a broad band X-ray observation of the Cas A supernova remnant, obtained with the 4 narrow field instruments on board the BeppoSAX satellite. The X-ray spectrum thus obtained spans more than two decades in energy, from ~0.5 to ~80 keV. The complete spectrum is fit with a two-component non-equilibrium ionization (NEI) model plus a power-law component which dominates at the higher energies. The influence of the hard X-ray tail on the parameters derived for the thermal emission is discussed.