Identifying young Galactic supernova remnants

The mismatch between estimates of the Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) rate and the number of catalogued remnants suggests a significant deficit of observed SNRs. Because of the large uncertainty in the visible lifetime of a SNR and as larger remnants are generally easier to identify, we have conducted a search for young SNRs. Our search consisted of an automated selection of small non-thermal sources within 5 degrees of the Galactic plane. Candidates were identified as non-thermal by direct comparison of data from the second epoch Molonglo Galactic Plane Survey and infrared data from the Midcourse Space Experiment. Here we propose follow-up of these candidates in order to confirm their identity, examine confirmed SNRs in detail, and provide an updated estimate of the Galactic supernova remnant rate.