Type Ia Supernovae inside Planetary Nebulae: Shaping by Jets

TL;DR

This study uses 3D hydrodynamical simulations to demonstrate that jets launched before a Type Ia supernova can create characteristic 'Ears' in supernova remnants, explaining observed asymmetries.

Contribution

It introduces a new model where pre-explosion jets shape supernova remnants, linking jet activity to observed remnant morphology in the core-degenerate scenario.

Findings

Jets can produce 'Ears' in SNRs consistent with observations.

Simulations match features of Kepler and G299.2-2.9 remnants.

Pre-explosion jets influence SNR asymmetry.

Abstract

Using 3D numerical hydrodynamical simulations we show that jets launched prior to type Ia supernova (SN Ia) explosion in the core-degenerate scenario can account for the appearance of two opposite lobes ('Ears') along the symmetry axis of the SN remnant (SNR). In the double-degenerate and core-degenerate scenarios the merger of the two degenerate compact objects is very likely to lead to the formation of an accretion disk, that might launch two opposite jets. In the CD scenario these jets interact with the envelope ejected during the preceding common envelope phase. If explosion occurs shortly after the merger process, the exploding gas and the jets will collide with the ejected nebula, leading to SNR with axisymmetric components including 'Ears'. We also explore the possibility that the jets are launched by the companion white dwarf prior to its merger with the core. This last process is similar to the one where jets are launched in some pre-planetary nebulae. The SNR 'Ears' in this case are formed by a spherical SN Ia explosion inside an elliptical planetary nebula-like object. We compare our numerical results with two SNRs - Kepler and G299.2-2.9.