A BeppoSAX and ROSAT view of the RCW86 supernova remnant

We present a spectral analysis of the Northern and Southwestern rim of the RCW86 X-ray shell, pointing out the remarkable differences between these two parts of the same object. In the North, a single temperature Non Equilibrium of Ionization emission model describes the data well, and the derived abundances of O, Ne, Mg, Si, S, Ar and Fe are in agree ment with expected metal depletion behind a fast shock moving in the interstellar medium. If the initial explosion energy was similar to 10(51) erg, the derived distance and age are 1.18(-0.16)(+0.17) kpc and 1630(-360)(+440) yr, fully consistent with the association to the historical supernova SN185. The X-ray emission from the SW is described by a two-temperature: emission model with kT(h) = 5.7 keV and kT(1) = 1.0 keV. There is evidence of overabundant metals in the high-temperature component, thus indicating the presence of ejecta. In this case, a Type Ia SN is to be preferred over a more energetic Type II event, which would imply a more distant and older remnant fully in its Sedov phase.