Supernova remnant SNR 0509-67.5 investigated with Chandra

Utilizing NASA’s Chandra X-ray observatory, astronomers have carried out an X-ray correct movement research of a supernova remnant often called SNR 0509-67.5. Outcomes of the analysis, printed October 5 on arXiv.org, yield important info relating to the growth of this construction.

Supernova remnants (SNRs) are diffuse, increasing constructions ensuing from a supernova explosion. They include ejected materials increasing from the explosion and different interstellar materials that has been swept up by the passage of the shockwave from the exploded star.

Research of supernova remnants are essential for astronomers, as they play a key position within the evolution of galaxies, dispersing the heavy components made within the supernova explosion and offering the vitality wanted for heating up the interstellar medium. SNRs are additionally believed to be chargeable for the acceleration of galactic cosmic rays.

SNR 0509-67.5 is a Sort Ia supernova remnant within the Giant Magellanic Cloud (LMC) found as a part of an X-ray survey utilizing the Einstein observatory. Earlier observations of this SNR have discovered that it has an age of about 310 years and is increasing right into a low density surroundings with a median velocity of some 7,500 km/s.

A group of astronomers led by Benson T. Visitor of the College of Maryland additional investigated the growth strategy of SNR 0509-67.5. For this goal, they analyzed the most recent correct movement information relating to this SNR collected in 2020 with Chandra.

“A brand new epoch of Chandra observations (PI: B. Williams) was acquired between April 11 and November 21, 2020 totaling 414 ks and unfold over 14 particular person segments ranging in size from 25–40 ks,” the researchers defined.

To start with, Visitor’s group measured the diameter of SNR 0509-67.5 utilizing radial profiles alongside six areas which all cross the geometric middle of the remnant and are spaced by rotations of 30 levels. The brand new measurements had been then in comparison with earlier Chandra information acquired in 2000 and 2007.

The measured change within the diameter of SNR 0509-67.5 in six instructions, yielded a median growth velocity of simply over 6,120 km/s. This, in response to the researchers, corresponds to an undecelerated age of about 600 years, making the true age of the remnant even decrease.

“The common velocity we calculate corresponds to an undecelerated free growth age of 600 years with the true age considerably decrease. The rate we measure is per the outcomes of Hovey et al. (2015) who then used hydrodynamic simulations to calculate an age of 310 years,” the astronomers concluded.

The researchers added that their technique doesn’t enable them to find out whether or not one space of SNR 0509-67.5 is increasing extra rapidly than one other. Additional observations of this remnant are required as a way to confirm this, utilizing, as an example, the Hubble Area Telescope (HST) in optical bands and Chandra at X-ray wavelengths.

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