Diagnostics of supernova remnant shock waves

Fairly simple models can explain the emission from non-radiative shock waves in supernova remnants. This talk reviews some of the more robust diagnostics of shock parameters and some of the implications for the physics of collisionless shock waves in interstellar gas. The Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope observed several non-radiative shocks during the ASTRO-2 mission, and the spectra have interesting implications for the physics of collisionless shocks.     

A simple model of a supernova

In this paper we formulate the problem of the collapse of a spherically-symmetric, radiating body in general relativity. The requirement that the metric and its normal derivative be continuous across the boundary imposes conditions upon the evolution of the star and allows identification of physical phenomena measured by a distant observer. A solution to Einstein's field equations for the exterior of a spherically-symmetric radiating body is that derived originally by Vaidya in 1951. By requiring the continuity described above we identify the mass, luminosity, velocity, and time increment measured by a distant observer in terms of the metric parameters evaluated in a frame comoving with the outer boundary. We also assume that the interior metric is a sum of products of functions of the radius and time. The continuity requirements allow the evolution of two of the three functions of time to be determined. The evolution of the third function, describing the motion of the core, is determined by the imposition of an equation of state at the center. The adiabatic index derived from the Baym-Bethe-Pethick equation of state was used to provide this last equation. A major result is obtaining an analytic solution to Einstein's field equations describing the core of a collapsing star. As a consequence of this solution we found that for the relatively small values of the adiabatic index (_max1.6), the star smoothly made the transition to a final collapsed state. Neither bounce nor shock wave was obtained. Also, there is a readily understood connection between the adiabatic index, and such parameters of the edge of the core as the velocity and acceleration. Finally, the analytic solutions provide the time-scales for the collapse which are significantly different from that of free-fall. The retarding effects of pressure upon the collapse are apparent. It is hoped that such analytic solutions will provide insight into more complicated dynamic systems in general relativity.     

New observations of the only supernova remnant in the galaxy IC 1613

We present new results of our kinematic study of the supernova remnant S8 in the galaxy IC 1613. Based on our observations at the 6-m Special Astrophysical Observatory telescope with the two-dimensional MPFS spectrograph and the SCORPIO focal reducer in the mode of a scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer, we have determined the expansion velocity of the bright optical nebula. Analysis of the 21-cm VLA radio observations for the galaxy confirms our previously suggested model for a supernova explosion in a cavity surrounded by a dense HI shell and a collision of S8 with the shell wall.     

The unusual supernova remnant surrounding the ultraluminous X-ray source IC 342 X-1

We report the results of an observation of a large-diameter (110 pc) supernova remnant (SNR) found to encircle the position of the ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) IC 342 X-1. The inferred initial energy input to the SNR is at least 2–3 times greater than the canonical energy for an 'ordinary' SNR. Two regions on the inside of the shell are bright in [O iii ]λ5007 emission, possibly as the result of X-ray photoionization by the ULX. If this is the case, then the morphology of this nebulosity implies that the X-ray emission from the ULX is anisotropic. The presence of the ULX, most probably a black hole X-ray binary, within an unusually energetic SNR suggests that we may be observing the aftermath of a gamma-ray burst, although other origins for the energetic nebula are discussed.     

Scalability of supernova remnant simulations

The simulation or solution of the supernova remnant evolution may be scaled from one interstellar environment to another. We systematically examine this scalability, the use of which is so far still very limited in astrophysical literature. We show how the scalability is affected by various constraints imposed by physical processes and initial conditions, and demonstrate the use of the scaling as a powerful tool to explore the interdependence among relevant parameters, based on a minimum set of simulations. In particular, we devise a scaling scheme that can be used to adaptively generate numerous seed remnants and plant them into 3D hydrodynamic simulations of the supernova-dominated interstellar medium.     

Cosmic-ray energetics in the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A

Based on the observed radio spectrum for the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A, we have established that it represents synchrotron radiation of relativistic electrons with a nonpower-law energy spectrum in the form of Kaplan-Tsytovich’s standard distribution. The total density of relativistic electrons is 10^?3 cm^?3, only 20% of which form the radio spectrum. The particle number ratio of the proton-nuclear and electron cosmicray components inside the shell differs significantly from the mean Galactic ratio (100) and probably does not exceed unity.     

X-ray detection of the monoceros supernova remnant

The Monoceros nebula is seen in the optical and in radio as a 3°.5 degree diameter ring. It is believed to be an old supernova remnant. Here is reported the detection of X-rays from the Monoceros nebula, confirming its supernova remnant nature.Einstein imaging proportional counter observations of 0.2 to 5 keV X-rays were analyzed to produce a surface brightness map. Preliminary modeling of the Monoceros supernova remnant yields an age of 50 000 years. A large age is expected for such a large remnant. However, the remnant is found to still be in the adiabatic blast wave stage of evolution.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.     

A new large supernova remnant in the southern sky?

A faint filamentary structure on a Southern Schmidt plate is thought to be a supernova remnant.     

A candidate gamma-ray pulsar in the supernova remnant CTA 1

We present a detailed analysis of the high-energy gamma-ray source 2EG J0008+7307. The source has a steady flux and a hard spectrum, softening above 2 GeV. The properties of the gamma-ray source are suggestive of emission from a young pulsar in the spatially coincident CTA 1 supernova remnant, which has recently been found to have a non-thermal X-ray plerion. Our 95 per cent uncertainty contour around the > 1 GeV source position includes the point-like X-ray source at the centre of the plerion. We propose that this object is a young pulsar and is the most likely counterpart of 2EG J0008+7307.     

Diffusion of cosmic rays in a multiphase interstellar medium swept-up by a supernova remnant blast wave

Supernova remnants (SNRs) are one of the most energetic astrophysical events and are thought to be the dominant source of Galactic cosmic rays (CRs). A recent report on observations from the Fermi satellite has shown a signature of pion decay in the gamma-ray spectra of SNRs. This provides strong evidence that high-energy protons are accelerated in SNRs. The actual gamma-ray emission from pion decay should depend on the diffusion of CRs in the interstellar medium. In order to quantitatively analyse the diffusion of high-energy CRs from acceleration sites, we have performed test particle numerical simulations of CR protons using a three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulation of an interstellar medium swept-up by a blast wave. We analyse the diffusion of CRs at a length scale of order a few pc in our simulated SNR, and find the diffusion of CRs is precisely described by a Bohm diffusion, which is required for efficient acceleration at least for particles with energies above 30 TeV for a realistic interstellar medium. Although we find the possibility of a superdiffusive process (travel distance ∝ t^0.75) in our simulations, its effect on CR diffusion at the length scale of the turbulence in the SNR is limited.     

A multiwavelength study of the supernova remnant G296.8-0.3

We report XMM-Newton observations of the Galactic supernova remnant G296.8-0.3, together with complementary radio and infrared data. The spatial and spectral properties of the X-ray emission, detected towards G296.8-0.3, was investigated in order to explore the possible evolutionary scenarios and the physical connexion with its unusual morphology detected at radio frequencies. G296.8-0.3 displays diffuse X-ray emission correlated with the peculiar radio morphology detected in the interior of the remnant and with the shell-like radio structure observed to the northwest side of the object. The X-ray emission peaks in the soft/medium energy range (0.5–3.0 keV). The X-ray spectral analysis confirms that the column density is high (N _H∼0.64×10²² cm⁻²) which supports a distant location (d>9 kpc) for the SNR. Its X-ray spectrum can be well represented by a thermal (PSHOCK) model, with kT∼0.86 keV, an ionization timescale of 6.1×10¹⁰ cm⁻³ s, and low abundance (∼0.12 Z _⊙). The 24 μm observations show shell-like emission correlated with part of the northwest and southeast boundaries of the SNR. In addition a point-like X-ray source is also detected close to the geometrical center of the radio SNR. The object presents some characteristics of the so-called compact central objects (CCO). Its X-ray spectrum is consistent with those found at other CCOs and the value of N _H is consistent with that of G296.8-0.3, which suggests a physical connexion with the SNR.     

The dynamic evolution of the Kepler supernova remnant

Two supernovae exploding events were observed visually from the same position, the north of Tian-Jiang in Wei-Suei (the north of 42 Ophiuchi), in 1604 and 1664, respectively, and were recorded in the ancient astronomical literatures of China and Korea. However, in recent years only one supernova remnant (SNR) has been identified in this position using advanced optical, radio and X-ray techniques. Some observed information for the Kepler SNR, including its non-spherically symmetric emission property with brighter north but darker south, have been shown. We conjecture that a supernova outburst in 1664 was excited by the 1604 supernova explosion at a distance of about 0.5 parsecs. The present SNR is formed from the summation of these two explosions. The dynamical evolution of the Kepler SNR is studied by means of a time-dependent, hydrodynamic code in the present paper. The density, velocity, temperature, and X-ray emission distribution of the SNR are shown, being the results of dynamic evolution for 380 years following the explosion of the supernova in 1604. Compared with present radio and X-ray observations, these numerical results may reasonably explain the observational features.     

Chandra observations of Tycho’s supernova remnant

We present a newChandra observation of Tycho’s supernova remnant with the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer. Multicolor Xray imaging reveals new details of the outer shock and ejecta. At energies between 4 and 6 keV, the outline of the outer shock is clearly revealed in X-rays for the first time. The distribution of the emission from lines of Si and Fe are confirmed to have a different morphology from each other, and the Si ejecta are shown to extend to the blast shock at several locations. Characteristic spectra of the outer shock and ejecta are also presented.     

Effect of the reverse shock wave on the evolution of young supernova remnants

McKee's model of reverse shock wave in young supernova remnants is further discussed and a more general formula for the fraction of swept up mass is derived. It is found that (i) in the supernova material swept by the reverse shock wave, the temperature increases, and the total X-radiation decreases monotonically with time and (ii) the presence of the reverse shock decreases the fractional decay rate of the radio flux of supernova remnants, and satisfactorily accounts for the difference between the observed and Shklovsky's predicted values for Cas A.     

A possible association of a long-period pulsar with a supernova remnant?

In this paper we argue that the PSR B 1849+00 and SNR G33.6+0.1 are possibly associated, because (1) there is only a small probability of chance superposition in this sky region; (2) although the estimates of the distance and the age of the two objects contain a high degree of uncertainty, they are not inconsistent; (3) the implied transverse velocity of the pulsar is also quite reasonable according to the measured distribution of pulsar velocities. The association could be verified by measuring the proper motion of PSR B 1849+00, which is estimated to be about 10 mas·yr^–1.     

Simulated X-ray emission from a single-explosion model for a supernova remnant 3C 400.2

We present a single-explosion model study of the 3C 400.2 supernova remnant (SNR), made with two-dimensional axisymmetric simulations. The numerical simulations were made with the adaptive grid code yguazú-a . Several initial scenarios have been tested in order to reproduce the centrally peaked X-ray emission observed for this remnant. This study reveals that the explosion of the SN inside a pre-existing stellar wind bubble successfully generates the observed morphology, when thermal conduction is included in the model. The best morphological fit is obtained at an evolution time of 21 000 yr, when the total luminosity is  1.2 × 10³⁴ erg s⁻¹  .     

The revised distance of supernova remnant G15.4+0.1

We measure the distance to the supernova remnant G15.4+0.1 which is likely associated with Te V source HESS J1818–154. We build the neutral hydrogen(HI) absorption and ~(13)CO spectra for supernova remnant G15.4+0.1 by employing data from the Southern Galactic Plane Survey(SGPS) and the HI/OH/Recombination line survey(THOR). The maximum absorption velocity of about 140 km s~(-1) constrains the lower limit of its distance to about 8.0 kpc. Further, the fact that the HI emission feature at about 95 km s~(-1) seems to have no corresponding absorption suggests that G15.4+0.1 likely has an upper limit for distance of about 10.5 kpc. The ~(13)CO spectrum for the remnant supports our measurement. The new distance provides revised parameters on its associated pulsar wind nebula and Te V source.     

Low-frequency observations of the Vela supernova remnant and their implications

We have studied the Vela supernova remnant in the light of the 34.5 MHz observations made with the GEETEE low frequency array. The flux densities of Vela X and YZ at 34.5 MHz are estimated to be 1800 and 3900 Jy respectively. These values, along with those from earlier observations at higher frequencies, imply spectral indices (S∞Ν^α) of-0.16 ± 0.02 for Vela X and -0.53 ± 0.03 for Vela YZ. This situation is further substantiated by the spectral-index distribution over the region obtained between 34.5 and 408 MHz. The spectral-index estimates, along with other known characteristics, strengthen the earlier hypothesis that Vela X is a plerion, while Vela YZ is a typical shell-type supernova remnant. We discuss the implications of this result.     

Detection of star formation regions near supernova remnant W44

Observations of two infrared objects embedded in molecular clouds near the supernova remnant W44 are presented. W44-IRS1 offers compelling evidence that it is a star whose formation was recently induced by expansion of the supernova remnant. W44-IRS2 lies beyond the remnant, possibly apart from the region of its influence.Paper presented at the Conference on Protostars and Planets, held at the Planetary Science Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, between January 3 and 17, 1978.Kitt Peak National Observatory which is operated by AURA. Inc. under contract with the National Science Foundation.