X-ray properties of G308.3-1.4 and its central compact object

TL;DR

This study confirms G308.3-1.4 as a supernova remnant with a central compact object, revealing a potential neutron star binary system through X-ray and optical observations, including a 1.4-hour periodicity.

Contribution

The paper identifies G308.3-1.4 as a new SNR and reports the discovery of a central compact object with unique properties, suggesting a possible neutron star binary system.

Findings

G308.3-1.4 confirmed as a supernova remnant

Discovery of a central compact object with neutron star characteristics

Detection of a 1.4-hour X-ray periodicity indicating a potential binary system

Abstract

We present a short Chandra observation that confirms a previous unidentified extended X-ray source, G308.3-1.4, as a new supernova remnant (SNR) in the Milky Way. Apart from identifying its SNR nature, a bright X-ray point source has also been discovered at the geometrical center. Its X-ray spectral properties are similar to those of a particular class of neutron star known as central compact objects (CCOs). On the other hand, the optical properties of this counterpart suggests it to be a late-type star. Together with the interesting ~ 1.4 hours X-ray periodicity found by Chandra, this system can possibly provide the first direct evidence of a compact binary survived in a supernova explosion.