The Galactic Centre Murder Mystery
Supernova as a Murder Mystery
Rules of a
Criminal Investigation
Motive
Means
Opportunity
Rules of a
Galactic Investigation
Opportunity
Trivial for field supernovae, as coincidence probability is 1e-6
star forming regions, however...
Supernova Forensics 101
Energy = 1e51 erg
Sun's total radiative output
Most supernovae make neutron stars
Neutron stars are kicked
Supernova Shock Propagation
Ejecta dominated phase
transition when
R \propto t
M_e \approx R^3 \rho_{\rm CSM}
Sedov Taylor Phase
R \propto t^{2/5}
transition to snowplough when radiation kicks in
R \propto t^{1/4}
Neutron Star Natal Kicks
Slow and steady wins the race
The Scene of the Crime
The Victims
SGR A East
SGR X Ray Lobes
The Suspects
The Cannonball
The Magnetar
Previous Investigation
Dust Extinction
First Detection of SGR East - 1989
Supernova Remnant!
Molecular lines!
Age Determination
Molecular clouds are very dense, around 1e2/cc
Sedov Taylor age 1e4 years
t \approx \left(\frac{\rho R^5}{E}\right)
Bonus: the cannonball passes through the centre
New Evidence
much smaller than molecular clouds!
Magnetar spin down age 1e4 years
SGR east is dusty - should have been destroyed in ST phase
Aeolian Environment
How do supernovae evolve in such environments?
star cluster
wind
supernova explosion
Numerical Simulations
600y
1500y
6000y
9000y
Numerical Simulations
600y
1500y
6000y
9000y
Numerical Simulations
600y
1500y
6000y
9000y
Phase Diagram
Implications for Relic - Remnant Associations
X - ray lobes - magnetar
age 1e4 years
SGR East only 1500 yo
Calls into question association with the cannonball
Crime Reconstruction
SGR East and the cannonball are not associated
Conclusion
SGR East - Cannonball association
X ray lobes - Magnetar association
Galactic Centre Murder Myster
By almog yalinewich
