Examining the Characteristics of Supernova Remnant 1E 0102.2–7219

Supernova remnants (SNRs) are typically expansive and diffused structures that emerge following a supernova explosion. These observations indicate that SNRs encompass a combination of material expelled from the explosion itself, expanding outward, as well as additional interstellar material that becomes entrained by the shockwave created by the supernova’s detonation.

Unveiled in 1981, 1E 0102.2–7219, affectionately known as E0102, is a relatively youthful core-collapse supernova remnant (SNR) situated within the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). The SMC is a diminutive galaxy in orbit around the Milky Way. E0102 presents a striking and luminous ring-like structure, replete with a well-defined outer boundary that delineates the advancing shockwave from the initial explosion. Prior observations have indicated that E0102 is approximately 1,738 years old, and its precursor star likely possessed a mass within the range of 32 to 50 times that of the Sun.

Recently, a team of astronomers, spearheaded by Rami Z. E. Alsaberi from Western Sydney University in Penrith, Australia, embarked on a research endeavor to explore E0102. Their goal was to gain deeper insights into the characteristics and attributes of this supernova remnant by utilizing ATCA and ALMA for their investigations.

The researchers articulated their work as they stated, “In this study, we offer fresh insights into E0102 through high-resolution and high-sensitivity radio-continuum observations, which were acquired via ATCA and ALMA.”

The observations revealed that E0102 exhibits a ring-shaped structure with an average radius of approximately 20.2 light years, accompanied by a distinctive bridge-like formation. Furthermore, the images unveiled the existence of a horizontal bridge or bar-like feature located in the central region of E0102, characterized by a measured flux density of 4.3 mJy.

Across the entirety of the remnant, the researchers determined an average spectral index of -0.54. It was observed that the regions near the outer edge exhibit a notably steep spectral index, approximately -0.6, both at the inner and outer radii. In contrast, regions with relatively flat gradients were identified at intermediate radii. Moreover, the radio emission displayed its highest intensity in the northeastern sector of E0102.

In the course of these observations, it became evident that E0102 exhibits polarized areas within its shell. The study determined a mean fractional polarization of 7% at 5,500 MHz and 12% at 9,000 MHz for this remnant. Furthermore, the data provided valuable insights, enabling the astronomers to compute the line-of-sight magnetic field strength directed towards E0102, which was determined to be approximately 44 ?G, with an equipartition field of around 65±5 ?G.

Regarding the environmental conditions surrounding E0102, the observations unveiled the presence of a cloud comprised of neutral atomic hydrogen (HI) within the velocity range of approximately 160–180 km/s. Additionally, a distinctive cavity-like configuration was identified at the velocity of 163.7–167.6 km/s.

In summary, the paper’s authors deduced that E0102 exhibits characteristics aligning with those typically associated with a youthful supernova remnant. Furthermore, they highlighted that the relatively modest integrated linear polarization observed in this remnant is indicative of a notable degree of turbulence in its environment.

Resources

1. ^NEWSPAPER Nowakowski, T. (2023, November 3). Research explores the properties of supernova remnant 1E 0102.2–7219. Phys.org. [Phys.org]
2. ^JOURNAL Alsaberi, R. Z. E., Filipović, M., Dai, S., Sano, H., Kothes, R., Payne, J. L., Bozzetto, L. M., Brose, R., Collischon, C., Crawford, E. J., Haberl, F., Hill, T. R., Kavanagh, P. J., Knies, J., Leahy, D. A., Macgregor, P. J., Maggi, P., Maitra, C., Manojlović, P., . . . Vogt, F. (2023). ATCA study of small magellanic Cloud Supernova Remnant 1E 0102.2–7219. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. [Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society]