Astron. Astrophys. 364, 732-740 (2000)

The supernova remnant RX J0852.0-4622: radio characteristics and implications for SNR statistics

A.R. Duncan ¹ and D.A. Green <sup>2

1</sup> Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie, Auf dem Hügel 69, 53121 Bonn, Germany
² Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory, Cavendish Laboratory, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK

Received 23 November 1999 / Accepted 31 August 2000

Abstract

We present new radio observations of the recently identified, young Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) RX J0852.0-4622 (G266.2-01.2) made at 1.40 GHz with a resolution of . These results, along with other radio observations from the literature, are used to derive the extent, morphology and radio spectrum of the remnant. The possible age and distance to this remnant are discussed, along with the consequences of its properties - especially its low radio surface brightness - for statistical studies of Galactic SNRs. The extended features identified by Combi et al. (1999) are considered, and we conclude that these are probably unrelated to the new remnant. If RX J0852.0-4622 is nearby, as is suggested by the available -ray data, then the range of intrinsic radio luminosities for SNRs of the same diameter may be much larger than was previously thought.

Key words: polarization ISM: supernova remnants radio continuum: general

Send offprint requests to: A.R. Duncan (rduncan@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de)

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Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Radio data
• 3. Location and morphology
  • 3.1. The 2.42-GHz morphology
  • 3.2. The 4.85-GHz PMN data
  • 3.3. Confusing structure within the field
  • 3.4. Extensions to the radio shell?
  • 3.5. The quasi-central source
  • 3.6. Radio spectrum
• 4. Polarimetric observations
• 5. Discussion
  • 5.1. RX J0852.0-4622: young or not so young?
  • 5.2. The distance to RX J0852.0-4622
  • 5.3. Statistical implications
• 6. Conclusions
• Acknowledgements
• References

© European Southern Observatory (ESO) 2000

Online publication: January 29, 2001
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