* Astronomy

Title: Infrared and X-Ray Spectroscopy of the Kes 75 Supernova Remnant Shell: Characterising the Dust and Gas Properties
Authors: Tea Temim, Patrick Slane, Richard G. Arendt, Eli Dwek

We present deep Chandra observations and Spitzer Space Telescope infrared (IR) spectroscopy of the shell in the composite supernova remnant (SNR) Kes 75 (G29.7-0.3). The remnant is composed of a central pulsar wind nebula and a bright partial shell in the south that is visible at radio, IR, and X-ray wavelengths. The X-ray emission can be modelled by either a single thermal component with a temperature of ~ 1.5 keV, or with two thermal components with temperatures of 1.5 and 0.2 keV. Previous studies suggest that the hot component may originate from reverse-shocked SN ejecta. However, our new analysis shows no definitive evidence for enhanced abundances of Si, S, Ar, Mg, and Fe, as expected from supernova (SN) ejecta, or for the IR spectral signatures characteristic of confirmed SN condensed dust, thus favouring a circumstellar or interstellar origin for the X-ray and IR emission. The X-ray and IR emission in the shell are spatially correlated, suggesting that the dust particles are collisionally heated by the X-ray emitting gas. The IR spectrum of the shell is dominated by continuum emission from dust with little, or no line emission. Modelling the IR spectrum shows that the dust is heated to a temperature of ~ 140 K by a relatively dense, hot plasma, that also gives rise to the hot X-ray emission component. The density inferred from the IR emission is significantly higher than the density inferred from the X-ray models, suggesting a low filling factor for this X-ray emitting gas. The total mass of the warm dust component is at least 0.013 solar masses, assuming no significant dust destruction has occurred in the shell. The IR data also reveal the presence of an additional plasma component with a cooler temperature, consistent with the 0.2 keV gas component. Our IR analysis therefore provides an independent verification of the cooler component of the X-ray emission.

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Title: Deep Chandra Observation of the PulsaR Wind Nebula Powered by the Pulsar J1846-0258 in the Supernova Remnant Kes 75
Authors: C.-Y. Ng, P. O. Slane, B. M. Gaensler, J. P. Hughes

We present the results of detailed spatial and spectral analysis of the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) in supernova remnant Kes 75 (G29.7-0.3) using a deep exposure with Chandra X-ray observatory. The PWN shows a complex morphology with clear axisymmetric structure. We identified a one-sided jet and two bright clumps aligned with the overall nebular elongation, and an arc-like feature perpendicular to the jet direction. Further spatial modeling with a torus and jet model indicates a position angle $207\arcdeg\pm8 \arcdeg$ for the PWN symmetry axis. We interpret the arc as an equatorial torus or wisp and the clumps could be shock interaction between the jets and the surrounding medium. The lack of any observable counter jet implies a flow velocity larger than 0.4c. Comparing to an archival observation 6 years earlier, some small-scale features in the PWN demonstrate strong variability: the flux of the inner jet doubles and the peak of the northern clump broadens and shifts 2" outward. In addition, the pulsar flux increases by 6 times, showing substantial spectral softening from $\Gamma$=1.1 to 1.9 and an emerging thermal component which was not observed in the first epoch. The changes in the pulsar spectrum are likely related to the magnetar-like bursts of the pulsar that occurred 7 days before the Chandra observation, as recently reported from RXTE observations.

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