An Updated Distance to the Cygnus Loop based on Gaia Early DR3

TL;DR

This paper refines the distance to the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant to approximately 725 parsecs using Gaia EDR3 parallax data, reducing previous uncertainties and improving our understanding of its size.

Contribution

The study provides a more accurate distance measurement to the Cygnus Loop using Gaia EDR3 data, updating previous estimates and reducing the uncertainty.

Findings

Distance to Cygnus Loop is 725 ± 15 pc.

Distance uncertainty is now comparable to the remnant's radius.

Revised distance impacts models of the remnant's size and evolution.

Abstract

We present a revised distance to the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant of $725\pm15$ pc based on Gaia Early Data Release 3 parallax measurements (EDR3) for several stars previously found to be located either inside or behind the supernova based on the presence of high-velocity absorption lines in their spectra. This revised distance estimate and error means the Cygnus Loop remnant now has an estimated distance uncertainty comparable to that of its $\simeq$18 pc radius.