HI shells and supershells in the I-GALFA HI 21 cm line survey. I. Fast-expanding HI shells associated with supernova remnants

G. Park, B. C. Koo, S. J. Gibson, J. H. Kang, D. C. Lane, K. A. Douglas, J. E.G. Peek, E. J. Korpela, C. Heiles, J. H. Newton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We search for fast-expanding H I shells associated with Galactic supernova remnants (SNRs) in the longitude range ℓ ≈ 32° to 77° using 21 cm line data from the Inner-Galaxy Arecibo L-band Feed Array (I-GALFA) H I survey. Among the 39 known Galactic SNRs in this region, we find such H I shells in 4 SNRs: W44, G54.4-0.3, W51C, and CTB 80. All four were previously identified in low-resolution surveys, and three of those (excluding G54.4-0.3) were previously studied with the Arecibo telescope. A remarkable new result, however, is the detection of H I emission at both very high positive and negative velocities in W44 from the receding and approaching parts of the H I expanding shell, respectively. This is the first detection of both sides of an expanding shell associated with an SNR in H I 21 cm emission. The high-resolution I-GALFA survey data also reveal a prominent expanding H I shell with high circular symmetry associated with G54.4-0.3. We explore the physical characteristics of four SNRs and discuss what differentiates them from other SNRs in the survey area. We conclude that these four SNRs are likely the remnants of core-collapse supernovae interacting with a relatively dense (≳ 1 cm-3) ambient medium, and we discuss the visibility of SNRs in the H I 21 cm line.

Original languageEnglish
Article number14
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume777
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013 Nov 1

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'HI shells and supershells in the I-GALFA HI 21 cm line survey. I. Fast-expanding HI shells associated with supernova remnants'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this