SN 1987A has been monitored by several X-ray missions such as Chandra,
XMM-Newton, ROSAT, Suzaku, and Swift. Now in the phase of young supernova
remnant (SNR), X-ray emission from 1987A is dominated by radiation
from the shock interacting with dense circumstellar medium. The most extensive
X-ray study of SNR 1987A has been performed by Chandra observations for the
last 12 years. We review our Chandra observations of SNR 1987A, focusing on
its evolution in the soft X-ray light curve, X-ray spectrum, and spatial
expansion in the context of the shock interaction with the dense inner ring.
We also briefly discuss the latest development in the soft X-ray light curve. |