Radio properties of the low surface brightness SNR G65.2+5.7

TL;DR

This study investigates the radio spectrum, polarization, and magnetic field properties of the evolved supernova remnant G65.2+5.7 using multi-wavelength radio observations, revealing typical characteristics for its class despite its unusual optical and X-ray emissions.

Contribution

First detailed radio polarization and spectral analysis of SNR G65.2+5.7 across multiple wavelengths, estimating magnetic field strength and suggesting expansion in a pre-existing cavity.

Findings

Spectral index of -0.58 from 83 MHz to 4.8 GHz

Southern shell polarized up to 54% at 6 cm

Magnetic field strength estimated between 20 and 50 μG

Abstract

Many physical properties of this SNR such as spectrum and polarization can only be investigated by radio observations. The $\lambda$11 cm and $\lambda$6\ cm continuum and polarization observations of SNR G65.2+5.7 were made with the Effelsberg 100-m and the Urumqi 25-m telescopes, respectively, to investigate the integrated spectrum, the spectral index distribution, and the magnetic field properties. $\lambda$21 cm archival data from the Effelsberg 100-m telescope have been also used. The integrated flux densities of G65.2+5.7 at $\lambda 11$ cm and $\lambda 6$ cm are $21.9\pm3.1$ Jy and 16.8$\pm$1.8 Jy, respectively. The power-law spectrum ($S\sim\nu^{\alpha}$) is well fitted by $\alpha = -0.58\pm0.07$ from 83 MHz to 4.8 GHz. Spatial spectral variations are small. Along the northern shell strong depolarizion is observed at both wavelengths. The southern filamentary shell of SNR G65.2+5.7 is polarized up to 54% at $\lambda 6$ cm. There is significant depolarization at $\lambda 11$ cm and confusion with diffuse polarized Galactic emission. Using equipartition principle, we estimated the magnetic field strength for the southern filamentary shell about 20 $\mu$G (filling factor 1) to 50 $\mu$G (filling factor 0.1). A faint HI shell may be associated with the SNR. Despite its unusual strong X-ray and optical emission and its very low surface brightness, the radio properties of SNR G65.2+5.7 are found to be typical for evolved shell type SNRs. SNR G65.2+5.7 may be expanding in a preblown cavity as indicated by a deficit of HI gas and a possible HI-shell.