Progenitor's signatures in Type Ia supernova remnants

TL;DR

This paper investigates the progenitor systems of Type Ia supernova remnants Kepler and Tycho, using observations and simulations to infer their binary origins and circumstellar environments.

Contribution

It provides new evidence supporting a symbiotic binary progenitor for Kepler's SNR and suggests circumstellar interaction in Tycho's SNR, advancing understanding of Type Ia supernova origins.

Findings

Kepler's SNR is consistent with a white dwarf and AGB star binary progenitor.

Hydrosimulations reproduce observed properties of Kepler's SNR.

Tycho's SNR shows evidence of ejecta interacting with dense circumstellar gas.

Abstract

The remnants of Type Ia supernovae can provide important clues about their progenitor-histories. We discuss two well-observed supernova remnants (SNRs) that are believed to result from a Type Ia SN and use various tools to shed light on the possible progenitor history. We find that Kepler's SNR is consistent with a symbiotic binary progenitor consisted of a white dwarf and an AGB star. Our hydrosimulations can reproduce the observed kinematic and morphological properties. For Tycho's remnant we use the characteristics of the X-ray spectrum and the kinematics to show that the ejecta has likely interacted with dense circumstellar gas.