The Single-degenerate Binary Origin of Tycho's Supernova as Traced by the Stripped Envelope of the Companion

TL;DR

This paper presents evidence supporting the single-degenerate binary origin of Tycho's supernova by analyzing an X-ray arc as the interaction between ejecta and the companion star's stripped envelope, providing insights into the progenitor system.

Contribution

It introduces the interpretation of an X-ray arc as the interaction with the companion's envelope, supporting the single-degenerate scenario for Tycho's supernova, and estimates key binary parameters.

Findings

Identification of an X-ray arc indicating ejecta-companion interaction

Estimated binary period of approximately 4.9 days

Stripped envelope mass around 0.0016 solar masses

Abstract

We propose that a non-thermal X-ray arc inside the remnant of Tycho's supernova (SN) represents the interaction between the SN ejecta and the companion star's envelope lost in the impact of the explosion. The X-ray emission of the remnant further shows an apparent shadow casted by the arc in the opposite direction of the explosion site, consistent with the blocking of the SN ejecta by the envelope. This scenario supports the single degenerate binary origin of Tycho's SN. The properties of the X-ray arc, together with the previous detection of the companion candidate and its space velocity by Ruiz-Lapuente et al. (2004) and Hern\'{a}ndez et al.(2009), enables us to further infer 1) the progenitor binary has a period of 4.9$^{+5.3}_{-3.0}$ days, 2) the companion gained a kick velocity of 42$\pm$30 km s$^{-1}$, and 3) the stripped envelope mass is about 0.0016($\leq0.0083$) $M_{\sun}$. However, we notice that the nature of the companion candidate is still under debate, and the above parameters need to be revised according to the actual properties of the companion candidate. Further work to measure the proper motion of the arc and to check the capability of the interaction to emit the amount of X-rays observed from the arc is also needed to validate the current scenario.