G321.3-3.9: A new supernova remnant observed with multi-band radio data and in the SRG/eROSITA All-Sky Surveys

TL;DR

This study confirms G321.3-3.9 as a new supernova remnant through multi-band radio and X-ray data, revealing its morphology, spectral properties, and estimated distance, thus enhancing understanding of its physical characteristics.

Contribution

The paper provides the first comprehensive multi-band radio and X-ray analysis of G321.3-3.9, establishing it as a supernova remnant with detailed spectral and morphological properties.

Findings

G321.3-3.9 is confirmed as a supernova remnant.

Spectral index of -0.8 indicates synchrotron emission.

Estimated distance range is 1.0 to 1.7 kpc.

Abstract

G321.3-3.9 was first identified as a partial shell at radio frequencies a few decades ago. Although it continued to be observed, no additional studies were undertaken until recently. In this paper we present results from a large selection of radio and X-ray data that cover the position of G321.3-3.9. We confirmed G321.3-3.9 as a new supernova remnant (SNR) using data collected by several radio surveys, spanning a frequency range from 200 to 2300 MHz. Stacked eROSITA data from four consecutive all-sky surveys (eRASS:4) provide spectro-imaging information in the energy band 0.2 - 8.0 keV. G321.3-3.9 has an elliptical shape with major and minor axes of approximately 1.7 deg x 1.1 deg. From CHIPASS and S-PASS data, we calculate a spectral index {\alpha} = -0.8 +- 0.2, consistent with synchrotron emission from an expanding shell in the radiative phase. The eROSITA data show an X-ray diffuse structure filling almost the entire radio shell. Based on our spectral analysis, we found the temperature to be approximately 0.6 keV and the column absorption density about 10^21 cm^-2. Comparing this absorption density to optical extinction maps, we estimated the distance to fall within the range of (1.0 - 1.7) kpc, considering the 1{\sigma} uncertainty range.