Polarization observations of SNR G156.2+5.7 at lambda 6cm

TL;DR

This study presents the first radio polarization observations of SNR G156.2+5.7 at 6cm, revealing its spectral index, magnetic field structure, and polarization properties, contributing new insights into its physical characteristics.

Contribution

First radio continuum and polarization images of SNR G156.2+5.7 at 6cm, analyzing its spectral index, polarization, and magnetic field structure to enhance understanding of its physical properties.

Findings

Spectral index of -0.48 between 74cm and 6cm.

Detection of highly polarized emission from shell and central patch.

RM gradients indicate a toroidal magnetic field component.

Abstract

G156.2+5.7 is a large supernova remnant (SNR) first discovered in the ROSAT X-ray survey but radio observations are rare because of its low surface brightness and large size. Radio continuum and polarization images of the SNR G156.2+5.7 at lambda 6 cm are presented for the first time to be discussed in the context with available data to investigate its physical properties. We obtained an integrated flux density for G156.2+5.7 of S6cm= 2.5+-0.5Jy. The spectral index of the integrated emission is alpha=-0.48+-0.08 between lambda 74 cm and 6 cm excluding compact radio sources. We also obtained a spectral index map, which shows little variation between the shells and the central area of the SNR. This is consistent with the constant integrated flux density spectrum. Highly polarized radio emission has been detected from the SNR shell, but also from a central patch, which probably originates in the front part of the spherical SNR shell. We derived the distribution of rotation measure from polarization data at 11 cm and 6 cm and found RM gradients of opposite direction in the SNR shell. The SNR G156.2+5.7 is unusual by its exceptionally high X-ray brightness and very low surface-brightness in the radio range. The magnetic field is very well ordered along the shell periphery as expected for a compressed ambient magnetic field. A toroidal magnetic field component is indicated by the RM distribution. (abridged)