Optical observations and atomic environment of supernova remnant G25.1-2.3

TL;DR

This study presents the first optical spectroscopic analysis of supernova remnant G25.1-2.3, revealing shock-heated and photoionized regions, electron densities, extinction variations, and a HI hole, enhancing understanding of its environment and evolution.

Contribution

It provides new optical spectroscopic data and insights into the emission properties, electron densities, and environmental features of G25.1-2.3, which were not previously studied in detail.

Findings

Identified shock-heated gas and photoionized regions around the SNR.

Measured electron densities ranging from 120 to 4500 cm$^{-3}$.

Discovered a HI hole consistent with the SNR's size.

Abstract

The supernova remnant (SNR) G25.1-2.3 was identified in the radio band during the Sino-German $\lambda$6 cm survey of the Galactic plane. We present a detailed investigation of the optical, HI, and CO emission towards the G25.1-2.3 to better understand its characteristics and environment. In this study, optical spectroscopic data of the remnant and its environment have been analysed for the first time, providing new insights into their emission properties. The Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) and 1.5-m Russian-Turkish Telescope (RTT150) data show variations across the observed regions, with [SII]/H$\alpha$ ranging from 0.16 to 0.83. We identified shock-heated gas in the northern and southern regions and several photoionized regions around the SNR based on their [SII]/H$\alpha$ ratios derived from spectra. The [SII]$\lambda$6716/$\lambda$6731 ratio observed in the northern region suggests electron densities ($n_{\rm e}$) ranging from 120 to 1030 cm$^{-3}$, whereas the southern regions show higher values, between 490 and 4500 cm$^{-3}$. The variations in the observed H$\alpha$/H$\beta$ ratios indicate significant differences in extinction across the regions. H$\alpha$ images obtained using the 1-m Turkish Telescope (T100) reveal optical emission in the northern and southern, characterized by filamentary and diffuse structures. We newly found a hole-like distribution of HI, whose spatial extent is roughly consistent with the diameter of the SNR. Based on radio data, we examine the evolutionary stage of G25.1-2.3 using the surface brightness-diameter ($\Sigma-D$) relation and the equipartition method.