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Supernova remnants (SNRs) are diffuse extended sources characterized by a complex morphology and a non-uniform distribution of ejecta. Such a morphology reflects pristine structures and features of the progenitor supernova (SN) and the early interaction of the SN blast wave with the inhomogeneous circumstellar medium (CSM). Deciphering the observations of SNRs might open the possibility to investigate the physical properties of both the interacting ejecta and the shocked CSM. This requires accurate numerical models which describe the evolution from the SN explosion to the remnant development and which connect the emission properties of the remnants to the progenitor SNe. Here we show how multi-dimensional SN-SNR hydrodynamic models have been very effective in deciphering observations of SNR Cassiopeia A and SN 1987A, thus unveiling the structure of ejecta in the immediate aftermath of the SN explosion and constraining the 3D pre-supernova structure and geometry of the environment surrounding the progenitor SN.
To understand a wide variety of properties of young core-collapse supernova (CCSN) remnants being revealed by modern observations three-dimensional simulations of CCSNe starting from the initiation of the explosion until the expanding stellar debris transform into gaseous remnants are needed. We briefly review recent progress in modeling CCSNe on a long time scale. A current effort to model bolometric light curves based on 3D CCSN explosion models for comparison with observational data from SN 1987A is also discussed.
A large fraction of core-collapse supernovae are thought to result in the birth of a rotation-powered pulsar, which is later observable as a radio pulsar up to great ages. The birth properties of these pulsars, and in particular the distribution of their initial rotation periods, are however difficult to infer from studies of the radio pulsar population in our Galaxy. Yet the distributions of their birth properties is an important assumption for scenarios in which ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) originate in very young, extragalactic pulsars with short birth periods and/or high magnetic fields.
Using a model of the very young pulsar wind nebula’s dynamical and spectral evolution, with pulsar wind and accelerated particle parameters assumed similar to those inferred from modeling young pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) in our Galaxy, we show that X-ray observations of supernovae, a few years to decades after the explosion, constitute a favored window to obtain meaningful constraints on the initial spin-down luminosity of the newly-formed pulsar. We examine the expected emerging PWN spectral component, taking into account the X-ray opacity of the expanding supernova ejecta, and find that it is typically best detectable in < 10 keV X-rays some years after the explosion. We use this framework to assess available X-ray observations and flux upper limits on supernovae, building on the work of Perna et al. (2008). We note that a resulting limit on spin-down luminosity corresponds univocally to a limit on the maximum magnetospheric acceleration potential, irrespective of the specific combination of magnetic field and rotation period that achieves it. We use available X-ray observations of supernovae to place constraints on the birth spin-down luminosity and period distribution of classical pulsars. We also examine the case of magnetars, born with much higher magnetic fields, and show that their much shorter initial spin-down time implies that any plausible signature of young magnetar wind nebulae can only be observed in harder X-ray or gamma-rays.
The standard engine behind core-collapse supernovae is continuously evolving with increasingly detailed models. At this time, most simulations focus on an engine invoking turbulence above the proto-neutron star, sometimes termed the “convection-enhanced” engine. Here we review this engine and why it has become the standard for normal supernovae, focusing on a wide set of observations that provide insight into the supernova engine.
Supernovae (SNe) explode in environments that have been significantly modified by the SN progenitors. For core-collapse SNe, the massive progenitors ionize the ambient interstellar medium (ISM) via UV radiation and sweep the ambient ISM via fast stellar winds during the main sequence phase, replenish the surroundings with stellar material via slow winds during the luminous blue variable (LBV) or red supergiant (RSG) phase, and sweep up the circumstellar medium (CSM) via fast winds during the Wolf-Rayet (WR) phase. If a massive progenitor was in a close binary system, the binary interaction could have caused mass ejection in certain preferred directions, such as the orbital plane, and even bipolar outflow/jet. As a massive star finally explodes, the SN ejecta interacts first with the CSM that was ejected and shaped by the star itself. As the newly formed supernova remnant (SNR) expands further, it encounters interstellar structures that were shaped by the progenitor from earlier times. Therefore, the structure and evolution of a SNR is largely dependent on the initial mass and close binarity of the SN progenitor. The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) has an excellent sample of over 50 confirmed SNRs that are well resolved by Hubble Space Telescope, Chandra X-ray Observatory, and Spitzer Space Telescope. These multi-wavelength observations allow us to conduct stellar forensics in SNRs and understand the wide variety of morphologies and physical properties of SNRs observed.
In this contribution, we present results from fully general-relativistic three-dimensional (3D) simulations of a non-rotating 15M⊙ star using different nuclear equations of state (EOSs). We show that the SASI (standing-accretion-shock-instability) activity occurs much more vigorously in models with softer EOS. By performing detailed analysis of the gravitational-wave (GW) emission, we find a new GW signature that is produced predominantly by the SASI-induced downflows to the proto-neutron star. We discuss the detectability of the GW signal by performing a coherent network analysis where multiple detectors including LIGO Hanford, LIGO Livingston, VIRGO, and KAGRA are considered. We point out that the GW signal, whose typical frequency is in the best sensitivity range of the laser-interferometers, could potentially provide the live broadcast that pictures how the supernova shock is dancing in the core. The detection horizon of the signal is estimated as 2~3 kpc for the current generation detectors, which can extend up to ~100 kpc for the third generation detectors like Cosmic Explorer. We furthermore perform a correlation analysis between the SASI-modulated GW and neutrino signals. Our results show that the time correlation of the two signals becomes highest when we take into account the travel timescale of adverting material from the (average) neutrino-sphere to the proto-neutron star surface.
SN 1987A has been observed with the Chandra X-ray Observatory over the entire course of the mission. We have re-analyzed the archival data by constructing an empirical point spread function and reconstructing high-resolution images using a Bayesian multi-scale image reconstruction algorithm. We are able to resolve structure in the equatorial ring of SN 1987A with unprecedented detail, at scales of $\approx \frac{1}{4}$ arcsec. We describe how the point spread function is constructed, and the reconstruction method, and explore the evolution of the inner ring at different epochs and passbands.
Extremely strong magnetic fields of the order of 1015G are required to explain the properties of magnetars, the most magnetic neutron stars. Such a strong magnetic field is expected to play an important role for the dynamics of core-collapse supernovae, and in the presence of rapid rotation may power superluminous supernovae and hypernovae associated to long gamma-ray bursts. The origin of these strong magnetic fields remains, however, obscure and most likely requires an amplification over many orders of magnitude in the protoneutron star. One of the most promising agents is the magnetorotational instability (MRI), which can in principle amplify exponentially fast a weak initial magnetic field to a dynamically relevant strength. We describe our current understanding of the MRI in protoneutron stars and show recent results on its dependence on physical conditions specific to protoneutron stars such as neutrino radiation, strong buoyancy effects and large magnetic Prandtl number.
We have observed the oxygen-rich SNR 1E 0102.2-7219 with the integral field spectrograph WiFeS at Siding Spring Observatory and discovered sulfur-rich ejecta for the first time. Follow-up deep DDT observations with MUSE on the VLT (8100 s on source) reaching down to a noise level of ~5 × 10−20ergs−1cm−2Å−1spaxel−1 have led to the additional discovery of fast-moving hydrogen as well as argon-rich and chlorine-rich material. The detection of fast-moving hydrogen knots challenges the interpretation that the progenitor of 1E 0102 was a compact core of a Wolf-Rayet star that had shed its entire envelope. In addition to the detection of hydrogen and the products of oxygen-burning, this unprecedented sharp (0.2″ spaxel size at ~0.7″ seeing) and deep MUSE view of an oxygen-rich SNR in the Magellanic Clouds reveals further exciting discoveries, including [Fe xiv]λ5303 and [Fe xi]λ7892 emission, which we associate with the forward shock. We present this exciting data set and discuss some of its implications for the explosion mechanism and nucleosynthesis of the associated supernova.
As supernova remnants (SNRs) age, they become efficient cosmic ray accelerators at their outer shell shocks. The current paradigm for shock acceleration theory favors turbulent field environs in the proximity of these shocks, turbulence driven by current instabilities involving energetic ions. With the imminent prospect of dedicated X-ray polarimeters becoming a reality, the possibility looms of probing turbulence on scales that couple to the super-TeV electrons that emit X-rays. This paper presents model X-ray polarization signatures from energetic electrons moving in simulated MHD turbulence of varying levels of “chaos.” The emission volumes are finite slabs that represent the active regions of young SNR shells. We find that the turbulent field energy must be quite limited relative to that of the total field in order for the X-ray polarization degree to be as strong as the radio measures obtained in some remnants. Results presented are pertinent to the planned IXPE and XIPE polarimeters.
Fostered by the possibilities of multi-dimensional computational modeling, in particular the advent of three-dimensional (3D) simulations, our understanding of the neutrino-driven explosion mechanism of core-collapse supernovae (SNe) has experienced remarkable progress over the past decade. First self-consistent, first-principle models have shown successful explosions in 3D, and even failed cases may be cured by moderate changes of the microphysics inside the neutron star (NS), better grid resolution, or more detailed progenitor conditions at the onset of core collapse, in particular large-scale perturbations in the convective Si and O burning shells. 3D simulations have also achieved to follow neutrino-driven explosions continuously from the initiation of the blast wave, through the shock breakout from the progenitor surface, into the radioactively powered evolution of the SN, and towards the free expansion phase of the emerging remnant. Here we present results from such simulations, which form the basis for direct comparisons with observations of SNe and SN remnants in order to derive constraints on the still disputed explosion mechanism. It is shown that predictions based on hydrodynamic instabilities and mixing processes associated with neutrino-driven explosions yield good agreement with measured NS kicks, light-curve properties of SN 1987A and asymmetries of iron and 44Ti distributions observed in SN 1987A and Cassiopeia A.
The radio non-detection of two Type Ia supernovae (SNe) SN 2011fe and SN 2014J has been modeled considering synchrotron radiation from shock accelerated electrons in the SN shock fronts. With 10% each of the bulk kinetic energy in electric and magnetic fields, a very low density of the medium around both the SNe has been estimated from the null detection of radio emission, around 1 and 4 years after the explosion of SNe 2014J and 2011fe, respectively. Keeping the fraction of energy in electrons fixed at 10%, a medium with particle density ~ 1cm−3 is found when 1% of the post shock energy is in magnetic fields. In case of a wind medium, the former predicts the mass loss rate Ṁ to be <10−9M⊙ yr−1, and the latter gives an upper limit ~10−9M⊙ yr−1, for wind velocity of 100 kms−1, for both the SNe. The tenuous media obtained from this study favor the double degenerate as well as a spin up/down model for both SNe 2011fe and 2014J.
HESS J1731−347 a.k.a. SNR G353.6−0.7 is one of the five known very high energy (VHE, Energy > 0.1 TeV) shell-type supernova remnants. We carried out Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) observations of this TeV SNR in 1390, 610 and 325 MHz bands. We detected the 325 and 610 MHz radio counterparts of the SNR G353.6−0.7 (Nayana et al. 2017). We also determined the spectral indices of individual filaments and our values are consistent with the non-thermal radio emission. We compared the radio morphology with that of VHE emission. The peak in radio emission corresponds to the faintest feature in the VHE emission. We explain this anti-correlated emission in a possible leptonic origin of the VHE γ-rays.
The data we are receiving from galactic cosmic rays are reaching an unprecedented precision, over very wide energy ranges. Nevertheless, many problems are still open, while new ones seem to appear when data happen to be redundant. We will discuss some paths to possible progress in the theoretical modeling and experimental exploration of the galactic cosmic radiation.
Hydrodynamical instabilities may either spin-up or down the pulsar formed in the collapse of a rotating massive star. Using numerical simulations of an idealized setup, we investigate the impact of progenitor rotation on the shock dynamics. The amplitude of the spiral mode of the Standing Accretion Shock Instability (SASI) increases with rotation only if the shock to the neutron star radii ratio is large enough. At large rotation rates, a corotation instability, also known as low-T/W, develops and leads to a more vigorous spiral mode. We estimate the range of stellar rotation rates for which pulsars are spun up or down by SASI. In the presence of a corotation instability, the spin-down efficiency is less than 30%. Given observational data, these results suggest that rapid progenitor rotation might not play a significant hydrodynamical role in the majority of core-collapse supernovae.
The dust produced by supernovae is an important topic for understanding supernova physics and the chemical evolution of galaxies. Recent ALMA observations of SN 1987A have allowed us to peer into the inner ejecta to the cool dust, with spatial resolution from 0.″3 at ~300 GHz down to 0.″09 at ~680 GHz – an improvement over the previous 300 GHz Cycle 0 observations at 0.″69. Comparison of the dust location and morphology with other multiwavelength emission presents an interesting picture of the role dust plays in the ejecta. The mm-FIR SED is compared to radiative models to study the dust composition 30 years after the initial explosion. Fits to the ring emission also probe the drift of the center of the system over time.
Here we discuss the observational properties of supernovae exploding in extremely dense environments, namely Type IIn supernovae (SNe IIn). In SNe IIn, the surrounding environments play significant role in the supernovae energetics and evolution. Thus they are different than other classes of core collapse supernovae, whose energetics are not significantly altered by their environments. Though high density of medium is a prerequisite for radio and X-ray emission, less than 10% on SNe IIn are bright in these bands. This has important implications for their progenitor models. I will discuss the radio and X-ray observations of SNe IIn, which are crucial to unravel their complex environments. We also discuss some individual supernovae belonging to this class and discuss as to how they have refined our understanding of SNe IIn. Finally the importance of well sampled long term light curves in radio and X-ray bands cannot be stressed enough.
The currently working ANTARES neutrino telescope has capabilities to detect neutrinos produced in astrophysical transient sources. Neutrino alerts are regularly generated to trigger multi-wavelength observatories. Potential sources include gamma-ray bursts, core-collapse supernovae, and flaring active galactic nuclei. In particular, the neutrino detection together with the multi-wavelength observations may reveal hidden jets in the supernova explosions.
Supernovae remnants are currently the most promising acceleration sites of the cosmic rays in our Galaxy. The neutrino emission is expected during the cosmic ray interaction with the surrounding matter. The neutrino telescopes in the Northern hemisphere have excellent visibility to the most of the galactic supernovae remnants. Recent results on the search for point-sources with the ANTARES detector and the prospects for the future KM3NeT detector are presented.
Although ANTARES and KM3NeT detectors are mainly designed for high energy neutrino detection, the MeV neutrino signal from the supernova can be identified as a simultaneous increase of the counting rate of the optical modules in the detector. The noise from the optical background due to 40K decay in the sea water and the bioluminescence can be significantly reduced by using nanosecond coincidences between the nearby placed photomultipliers. This technique has been tested with the ANTARES storeys, each one consisting of three 10-inch photomultipliers, and it is further optimized for the KM3NeT telescope where the directional optical modules containing 31 3-inch photomultipliers provide very promising expectations.
Supernova remnants (SNRs) are one of the most important sites where particles are accelerated with high efficiency and in a wide range of energies, becoming an important component of cosmic rays. A good test for this hypothesis will be possible using the data collected by next-generation radio and gamma-ray observatories, like the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). Radio emission is fundamental to explore the SNR environment and to shed light on the physical processes involved in particle acceleration, providing direct links to high-energy physics. Two cases of SNRs recently studied in radio are presented, showing the importance of high-resolution radio images. An overview of SKA and its precursors is given with our ongoing preparation work. In particular, we present the EMU survey and the pathfinder project SCORPIO. Finally a direct view of the tight connection between SKA and CTA future studies of SNRs is provided.
Acceleration times of particles responsible for the gamma-rays in supernova remnants (SNRs) are comparable with SNR age. If the number of particles starting acceleration was varying during early times after the supernova explosion then this variation should be reflected in the shape of the gamma-ray spectrum. In order to analyse this effect, we consider the time variation of the radio spectral index in SN1987A and solution of the non-stationary equation for particle acceleration. We reconstruct evolution of the particle injection in SN1987A, apply it to derive the particle momentum distribution in IC443 and model its gamma-ray spectrum. We show that: i) observed break in the proton spectrum around 50 GeV in IC443 is a consequence of the variation of the cosmic ray injection; ii) shape of the hadronic gamma-ray spectrum in SNRs critically depends on the temporal variation of the cosmic ray injection in the immediate post explosion phases.