The Supernova -- Supernova Remnant Connection

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent progress in establishing empirical links between supernovae and their remnants, especially through studies of middle-aged supernovae and young remnants, to better understand explosion mechanisms and ejecta properties.

Contribution

It highlights how connecting supernovae and remnants through observations of intermediate stages advances understanding of explosion dynamics and ejecta composition.

Findings

Empirical links between supernovae and remnants are being established.

Studies of middle-aged supernovae inform remnant properties.

Understanding of dust formation and jet phenomena in explosions is improved.

Abstract

Many aspects of the progenitor systems, environments, and explosion dynamics of the various subtypes of supernovae are difficult to investigate at extragalactic distances where they are observed as unresolved sources. Alternatively, young supernova remnants in our own galaxy and in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds offer opportunities to resolve, measure, and track expanding stellar ejecta in fine detail, but the handful that are known exhibit widely different properties that reflect the diversity of their parent explosions and local circumstellar and interstellar environments. A way of complementing both supernova and supernova remnant research is to establish strong empirical links between the two separate stages of stellar explosions. Here we briefly review recent progress in the development of supernova---supernova remnant connections, paying special attention to connections made through the study of "middle-aged" (10-100 yr) supernovae and young (< 1000 yr) supernova remnants. We highlight how this approach can uniquely inform several key areas of supernova research, including the origins of explosive mixing, high-velocity jets, and the formation of dust in the ejecta.