X-ray Observations of Vela Supernova Remnant Ejecta Fragments
Abstract
As one of the nearest SNRs, the Vela Supernova Remnant (SNR) subtends more than 8 degrees on the sky, making it ideal for spatially resolved spectral studies. Its environment is complex, and the remnant shows marked variations: the remnant is bright, soft, and sharply defined to the east and north, but much fainter and less well ordered in the west and south. Age estimates for the associated pulsar range from $\sim11400$ years to as much as 18000 years, making the the SNR a moderately old remnant. The remnant shows curious protrusions beyond the projected rim (Aschenbach et al. 1995, Nature 373, 587). Many have subsequently been investigated in X-rays and in each case, enhanced abundances have been detected, confirming that these fragments include ejecta. Here, we present analyses of several ejecta fragments based on Suzaku and XMM-Newton X-ray observations.
This work was supported by NASA grants NNX06AE40G, NNX07AF67G, NNX08AZ74G, and by NASA contract NAS8-03060.- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #220
- Pub Date:
- May 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012AAS...22043111G