Star Formation Around the Youngest Supernova Remnants in the Large Magellanic Cloud: Implications for Type Ia Supernova Progenitors

TL;DR

This study investigates the environments of the youngest Type Ia supernova remnants in the Large Magellanic Cloud, revealing most originate from old stellar populations, but some are linked to recent star formation, informing progenitor models.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the star formation environments of Type Ia supernova remnants using recent star formation history maps.

Findings

Most Type Ia remnants are associated with old, metal-poor populations.

SNR N103B is linked to recent star formation, suggesting a younger progenitor.

Some remnants are far from star-forming regions, indicating diverse progenitor ages.

Abstract

We use the star formation history map of the Large Magellanic Cloud recently published by Harris & Zaritsky to study the sites of the youngest Type Ia supernova remnants. We find that most Type Ia remnants are associated with old, metal-poor stellar populations, with little or no recent star formation. These include SNR 0509-67.5 which is known to have been originated by an extremely bright SN 1991T-like event, and yet is located very far away from any star forming regions. The Type Ia remnant SNR N103B, however, is associated with vigorous star formation activity in the last 100 Myr, and might have had a relatively younger and more massive progenitor.