Properties of Optically Selected Supernova Remnants in M31

  • Lee, Jong Hwan (Astronomy Program, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University) ;
  • Lee, Myung Gyoon (Astronomy Program, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Seoul National University)
  • Published : 2013.10.08

Abstract

We present a study of optically emitting supernova remnants (SNRs) in M31 based on $H{\alpha}$ and [S II] images in the Local Group Survey. Using these images, we have selected objects that have [S II]:$H{\alpha}$ > 0.4 and morphology for typical SNRs. We find 76 new SNRs. We have also inspected 233 SNR candidates presented in previous studies, confirming that only 80 of them are SNRs. Combining these, we produce a master catalog of 156 SNRs in M31. We classify these SNRs according to two types of criteria: the SNR progenitor types (Type Ia and core-collapse (CC) SNRs) and the morphological types. Type Ia and CC SNRs are 23% and 77%, respectively, of the total sample. Most of CC SNRs are concentrated along the spiral arms, while Type Ia SNRs are rather spread over the entire galaxy including the inner region. CC SNRs are brighter in $H{\alpha}$ and [S II] than Type Ia SNRs. The cumulative size distribution of the SNRs with 15 < D < 50 pc is well fitted by a power law with an index, ${\alpha}=2.53{\pm}04$. It indicates that most SNRs in M31 are in Sedov-Taylor phase. Properties of these SNRs show little variation depending on the galactocentric distance. The $H{\alpha}$ and [S II] surface brightness shows a good correlation with X-ray luminosity for the SNRs that are center-bright.

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