Attributing the supernova remnant RCW 89 to the jittering jets explosion mechanism

TL;DR

This paper links the point-symmetric morphology of supernova remnant RCW 89 to the jittering jets explosion mechanism, proposing it as a separate core-collapse supernova remnant shaped by misaligned jets.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the morphology of RCW 89 can be explained by the jittering jets explosion mechanism, identifying it as a distinct supernova remnant with jet-driven features.

Findings

RCW 89 has a point-symmetric morphology consistent with jet-driven explosions.

RCW 89 is a separate core-collapse supernova remnant interacting with other nebulae.

Jittering jets can produce multiple energetic jet pairs, shaping supernova remnant morphologies.

Abstract

I examine recent radio observations of the supernova remnant (SNR) RCW 89 and identify a point-symmetric morphology composed of two main symmetry axes. I attribute this morphology to a jet-driven explosion in the framework of the jittering jets explosion mechanism (JJEM). To reach this conclusion, I argue that the MSH 15-52 nebula associated with the pulsar PSR B1509-58, the X-ray hand-like-shaped nebula, and RCW 89 are two separate core-collapse supernova (CCSN) remnants that interact with each other. Namely, the nebula SNR G320.4-1.2 contains two CCSN remnants. In essence, I utilize the recent successes of the JJEM to account for the morphologies of point-symmetric CCSN remnants, thereby explaining the morphology of RCW 89 and identifying it as a separate CCSN remnant. I suggest a process by which somewhat more energetic pairs of jets in the JJEM have a positive feedback on the accreted gas onto the newly born neutron star, thereby prolonging the life of the jets and explaining the occurrence of two or three energetic pairs of jets in some CCSNe. This study adds RCW 89 to the growing list of point-symmetric CCSN remnants. The JJEM naturally explains these morphologies as shaped by misaligned pairs of jets that exploded these CCSNe.