A team of astronomers, including researchers from Western Sydney University in Australia, has announced the identification of a new candidate for a supernova remnant (SNR). Named ‘Raspberry’ due to its distinctive shape, this newfound SNR candidate was spotted in the Scutum-Centaurus Arm of the Milky Way. The details of this discovery were published in the Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society.
Supernova remnants (SNRs) are expansive structures formed after a supernova explosion, containing material ejected from the explosion and interstellar matter swept up by the shockwave. Understanding SNRs is crucial for astronomers as they contribute to the evolution of galaxies, distribute heavy elements produced in supernovae, and play a role in accelerating cosmic rays.
The Raspberry SNR candidate was serendipitously found as part of the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) Evolutionary Map of the Universe survey (EMU). Designated as G308.73+1.38, its unique appearance earned it the nickname ‘Raspberry.’
Using radio morphology as the primary criterion, the astronomers classified Raspberry as a shell-type SNR. Its radio emission pattern resembles typical shell-type SNRs, with a filamentary structure and brightest regions along the western edge.
Estimates suggest Raspberry’s diameter ranges between 32.5 and 98 light years, with a distance from Earth of 10,000–16,000 light years. The SNR candidate exhibits a total integrated flux of 407 mJy across its entire shell area.
Furthermore, observations revealed a potential circularly polarized point source near Raspberry’s center, speculated to be a neutron star or pulsar originating from the initial supernova event.
While these findings are intriguing, the researchers emphasize the need for further investigation to confirm Raspberry’s status as an SNR. Additional analysis, including examining radio emission characteristics and polarization, will provide more insights into this celestial phenomenon.”
