ASKAP$-$EMU Discovery of "Raspberry": a new Galactic SNR Candidate G308.73+1.38

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of a new Galactic supernova remnant candidate named Raspberry using ASKAP, including its size, flux, estimated distance, and a potential neutron star or pulsar at its center.

Contribution

The paper presents the first identification of a new SNR candidate with detailed radio measurements and a potential associated compact object, expanding knowledge of Galactic remnants.

Findings

New SNR candidate named Raspberry identified

Estimated size of 10-30 pc at 3-5 kpc distance

Detection of a potential neutron star or pulsar at the center

Abstract

We report the ASKAP discovery of a new Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) candidate G308.73+1.38, which we name Raspberry. This new SNR candidate has an angular size of 20.7 arcmin $\times$ 16.7 arcmin, and we measure a total integrated flux of 407$\pm$50 mJy. We estimate Raspberry's most likely diameter of 10$-$30 pc which would place it at a distance of 3$-$5 kpc, on the near side of the Milky Way's Scutum$-$Centaurus Arm. We also find a Stokes$-$V point source close to the centre of Raspberry with a $\sim$5$\sigma$ significance. This point source may be the remaining compact source, a neutron star, or possibly a pulsar, formed during the initial supernova event.