A new oxygen-rich supernova remnant in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Abstract
The identification of the LMC radio/X-ray object 0540-69.3 with an optical nebulosity associated with a supernova remnant is reported. The optical component was found in a search conducted with the 3.9-m Anglo-Australian Telescope in the direct imaging mode in H beta, the forbidden O III line at 5007 A, the forbidden N II line at 6584 A and the continuum at 5323 A. An intense circular source of forbidden O III emission was discovered, along with a larger weaker arc of forbidden O III which together surround the radio source. No H beta emission was detected; however, a faint annulus coincident with the intense oxygen feature was found in forbidden N II. Spectroscopic analysis of the O III features indicates the annulus to have a velocity dispersion around 3000 km/sec, characteristic of a very young supernova remnant, while the arc is most likely background emission from the photoionized nebula.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- December 1980
- DOI:
- 10.1086/183406
- Bibcode:
- 1980ApJ...242L..73M
- Keywords:
-
- Magellanic Clouds;
- Optical Emission Spectroscopy;
- Oxygen Spectra;
- Radio Sources (Astronomy);
- Supernova Remnants;
- X Ray Sources;
- Astronomical Spectroscopy;
- Forbidden Transitions;
- Nebulae;
- Radio Astronomy;
- Radio Telescopes;
- Spectrometers;
- Astronomy