{\it Suzaku} observation of Galactic supernova remnant CTB 37A (G348.5+0.1)

TL;DR

This study analyzes Suzaku X-ray observations of the supernova remnant CTB 37A, revealing its plasma properties, composition, and morphology, and classifying it as a mixed-morphology remnant based on spectral and imaging data.

Contribution

First detailed X-ray spectral and morphological analysis of CTB 37A using Suzaku data, identifying plasma characteristics and confirming its classification as a mixed-morphology supernova remnant.

Findings

X-ray spectrum fitted by thermal and non-thermal components

Detection of K-shell emission lines of Mg, Si, S, and Ar

Estimated remnant age of ~30,000 years

Abstract

We present here the results of the observation of CTB 37A obtained with the X-ray Imaging Spectrometer onboard the {\it Suzaku} satellite. The X-ray spectrum of CTB 37A is well fitted by two components, a single-temperature ionization equilibrium component (VMEKAL) with solar abundances, an electron temperature of $kT_{\rm e}\sim0.6$ keV, absorbing column density of $N_{\rm H}\sim3\times10^{22}$ ${\rm cm^{-2}}$ and a power-law component with photon index of $\Gamma$ $\sim 1.6$. The X-ray spectrum of CTB 37A is characterized by clearly detected K-shell emission lines of Mg, Si, S, and Ar. The plasma with solar abundances supports the idea that the X-ray emission originates from the shocked interstellar material. The ambient gas density, and age of the remnant are estimated to be $\sim1f^{-1/2}$${\rm cm^{-3}}$ and $\sim3\times10^{4}f^{1/2}$ yr, respectively. The center-filling X-ray emission surrounded by a shell-like radio structure and other X-ray properties indicate that this remnant would be a new member of mixed-morphology supernova remnant class.