(ORDO NEWS) — Using NASA‘s Chandra X-ray Observatory, astronomers conducted a study of the proper motion of the supernova remnant SNR 0509-67.5. The results of the study were published October 5 on arXiv.org.
Supernova remnants (SNRs) are diffuse, expanding structures that result from a supernova explosion.
They contain ejected material expanded by the explosion and interstellar material that was picked up by the shock wave from the exploding star.
SNR 0509-67.5 is a subclass Ia supernova remnant located in the Large Magellanic Cloud. It was discovered as part of an X-ray survey using the Einstein Observatory.
Previous observations of this SNR have shown it to be about 310 years old and expanding into a low-density environment at an average velocity of about 7500 km/s.
A team of astronomers led by Benson T. Guest of the University of Maryland continued their study of the expansion of SNR 0509-67.5. To this end, they analyzed the latest data regarding this SNR collected in 2020 using Chandra.
Guest’s team measured the diameter of SNR 0509-67.5 using radial profiles along six regions that intersect the geometric center of the remnant and are 30 degrees apart.
The new data was compared with previous measurements taken in 2000 and 2007. Measuring the change in diameter SNR 0509-67.5 gave an average expansion velocity of just over 6,120 km/s.
The astronomers say their average velocity is consistent with previous results that have been used in hydrodynamic simulations to calculate the age of the remnant.
The researchers added that their method does not allow them to determine if one region of SNR 0509-67.5 is expanding faster than another.
To confirm this, further observations are required with the Hubble Space Telescope in optical bands and Chandra at X-ray wavelengths.
—
Online:
Contact us: [email protected]
Our Standards, Terms of Use: Standard Terms And Conditions.