Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: We present a study of the interstellar molecular and atomic gas associated with the gamma-ray supernova remnant (SNR) RCW 103 using Mopra 12 CO( J = 1–0), Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array 13 CO( J = 1–0), and Australia Telescope Compact Array and Parkes H i data. We find that CO clouds in the velocity range from −58.7 to −43.5 km s −1 show a clear spatial correspondence with the X-ray shell of RCW 103, particularly extending from the northwestern to the southeastern regions. The position–velocity diagram of the CO emission reveals an expanding gas motion with an expansion velocity of Δ V ∼ 7.5 km s −1 , which may have been produced by shock waves and/or stellar winds from the progenitor system. We estimate the total cosmic-ray proton energy to be ∼ 3 . 0 − 0.6 + 1.1 × 1 0 47 erg, adopting a total interstellar proton density of ∼810 cm −3 . This value is more than an order of magnitude lower than those inferred for other gamma-ray-emitting SNRs of comparable age. Given that a substantial amount of dense gas remains within the interior of RCW 103, where thermal X-ray emission is dominant, our results possibly suggest that a significant fraction of the shock energy may have been converted into thermal energy via gas heating, thereby reducing the efficiency of cosmic-ray acceleration.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
Institutions: Gifu University, Western Sydney University, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Nagoya University, Institute of Astronomy and Space Physics, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, The University of Tokyo, RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Kagawa University, The University of Adelaide
Language: English
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,499
Funders: National Science Foundation, Carnegie Institution of Washington, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Australian Government, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, National Science and Technology Council, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, National Institutes of Natural Sciences
Awards: G2643923133, 古典期ギリシャ世界における国際関係, Exploring cosmic-ray diffusion processes through a detailed analysis of the ISM, NANTEN2望遠鏡サブミリ波CI観測による超新星残骸ガンマ線起源の斬新な追究, Establishment of X-ray spectroscopy for supernova remnants considering the interstellar medium, Unveiling the Nature of the Most Powerful Cosmic-Ray Accelerators in the Milky Way through Southern Sky Gamma-Ray and Radio Line Surveys
OpenAlex ID: W7204269210