Discovery of Recombining Plasma in the Supernova Remnant 3C 391

TL;DR

This study reports the discovery of recombining plasma in the supernova remnant 3C 391, indicating overionized conditions likely related to supernova ejecta, with implications for understanding plasma states in middle-aged remnants.

Contribution

First detection of recombining plasma in 3C 391, revealing overionization and ejecta origin, enhancing knowledge of plasma evolution in supernova remnants.

Findings

Recombining plasma detected via RRC features in X-ray spectrum.

Recombining plasma associated with supernova ejecta from a 15 solar mass progenitor.

No significant difference in plasma parameters across different regions of the remnant.

Abstract

Recent X-ray study of middle-aged supernova remnants (SNRs) reveals strong radiative recombination continua (RRCs) associated with overionized plasmas, of which the origin still remains uncertain. We report our discovery of an RRC in the middle-aged SNR 3C 391. If the X-ray spectrum is fitted with a two-temperature plasma model in collisional ionization equilibrium (CIE), residuals of Si XIV Ly alpha line at 2.006 keV, S XVI Ly alpha line at 2.623 keV and the edge of RRC of Si XIII at 2.666 keV are found. The X-ray spectrum is better described by a composite model consisting of a CIE plasma and a recombining plasma (RP). The abundance pattern suggests that the RP is associated to the ejecta from a core-collapse supernova with a progenitor star of 15 solar mass. There is no significant difference of the recombining plasma parameters between the southeast region and the northwest region surrounded by dense molecular clouds. We also find a hint of Fe I K alpha line at 6.4 keV (~2.4 sigma detection) from the southeast region of the SNR.