Spatially Resolved X-Ray Study of Supernova Remnant G306.3-0.9 with Unusually High Calcium Abundance

Jianbin Weng, Ping Zhou, Yang Chen, Shing Chi Leung, Silvia Toonen, Hagai B. Perets, Ken'Ichi Nomoto, Yossef Zenati, Jacco Vink

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

G306.3-0.9 is an asymmetric Galactic supernova remnant (SNR), whose progenitor has been thought to be a Type Ia supernova (SN), but its high Ca abundance appears inconsistent with the Type Ia origin. Hoping to uncover the reason for its asymmetry and the origin of this SNR, we performed a spatially resolved X-ray spectroscopic analysis of XMM-Newton and Chandra observation data. We divided the SNR into 13 regions and analyzed the spectra using two-temperature models (0.2 keV + 1 keV). Compared to the southwestern regions, the northeastern regions have higher metal abundances and a lower gas density. This suggests that the asymmetric morphology results from the nonuniform ambient environment. We found that neither Type Ia nor core-collapse SN models can account for the abnormally high abundance ratios of Ar/Si, Ca/Si, or the shape of the abundance curve. A comparison with the Ca-rich transient models suggests that G306.3-0.9 is likely to be the first identified Galactic Ca-rich transient remnant, although the theoretical production of element S is lower. We also note that the conclusion for the SNR's origin relies on the measured abundance ratios and existing nucleosynthesis models. Between two groups of Ca-rich transient explosion models, we prefer the He shell detonation for an accreting white dwarf, rather than the merger of a white dwarf and a neutron star.

Original languageEnglish
Article number119
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume924
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 10 Jan 2022

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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