Spatially Resolved X-ray Study of Supernova Remnant G306.3$-$0.9 with Unusually High Calcium Abundance

TL;DR

This study uses spatially resolved X-ray spectroscopy to analyze supernova remnant G306.3$-$0.9, revealing high calcium abundance inconsistent with typical supernova models, suggesting it is a Galactic Ca-rich transient remnant.

Contribution

First spatially resolved X-ray analysis of G306.3$-$0.9, identifying it as a likely Galactic Ca-rich transient remnant with unique abundance patterns.

Findings

Asymmetry linked to non-uniform ambient environment.

High Ca/Si ratios inconsistent with standard SN models.

Likely origin is a He shell detonation on an accreting white dwarf.

Abstract

G306.3$-$0.9 is an asymmetric Galactic supernova remnant (SNR), whose progenitor has been thought to be a Type Ia supernova (SN), but its high Ca abundance appears inconsistent with the Type Ia origin. Hoping to uncover the reason for its asymmetry and the origin of this SNR, we performed a spatially resolved X-ray spectroscopic analysis of XMM-Newton and Chandra observation data. We divided the SNR into 13 regions and analyzed the spectra using two-temperature models (0.2 keV + 1 keV). Compared to the southwestern regions, the northeastern regions have higher metal abundances and a lower gas density. This suggests that the asymmetric morphology results from the non-uniform ambient environment. We found that neither Type Ia nor core-collapse SN models can account for the abnormally high abundance ratios of Ar/Si, Ca/Si, or the shape of the abundance curve. A comparison with the Ca-rich transient models shows that G306.3$-$0.9 is likely to be the first identified Galactic "Ca-rich transient" remnant, although the theoretical production of element S is lower. We also note that the conclusion for the SNR's origin relies on the measured abundance ratios and existing nucleosynthesis models. Between two groups of Ca-rich transient explosion models, we prefer the He shell detonation for an accreting WD, rather than the merger of a white dwarf and a neutron star.