Uncovering A Supernova Remnant Hidden Near LMC X-1

• Published in: Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific Vol. 109; no. 735; pp. 554 - 558
• Main Authors: Chu, You-Hua, Kennicutt, Robert C., Snowden, Steven L., Smith, R. Chris, Williams, Rosa Murphy, Bomans, Dominik J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Institute of Physics 01-05-1997
• Subjects: Astronomical research; Astronomy; Emission spectra; H II regions; Interstellar Medium and Nebulae; Observational research; Optical astronomy; Supernova remnants; Velocity; Wavelengths; X ray sources
• ISSN: 0004-6280; 1538-3873
• DOI: 10.1086/133913

In a kinematic study of LMC H ii regions, we serendipitously found a fast-expanding (velocity offsets up to ~ 200 kms⁻¹) shell in the northern lobe of the luminous H ii region N159. The expansion pattern and the [S ii]/Hα ratio of the shell are consistent with those seen in supernova remnants (SNRs). Confirmation of this SNR candidate in radio and X-ray wavelengths has been hampered by thermal emission of the luminous H ii region N159 itself and scattered X rays from the nearby luminous source LMC X-1. Recent ROS AT observations finally resolved N159 from LMC X-1, thus confirming the identification of this as a newly identified SNR, which we designate as SNR 0540—697.