IP2: Millimetre and submillimetre observations of dust and molecules in supernova young remnants
• A parallel search for molecular species predicted to form in SN ejecta, and commonly observed in the circumstellar envelopes of evolved stars. Indeed, molecules can be used as observational tracers of post-explosion mixing in SN ejecta and remnants, providing unique information on the chemistry and the kinematics of these gaseous media. Such a systematic search in SN remnants is novel. Typical molecules expected to form in significant amounts are O2, SiS, CO and SO and a recent infrared detection of CO in Cas A suggests that molecules exist or continue forming long after the explosion event. CO molecules are particularly important to the dust formation process, as they lock up the elemental carbon otherwise available for carbon grain condensation. CO is also an effective coolant and its observation will provide a diagnostic of the physical conditions (i.e., gas temperature and density) in the inhomogeneous SN remnants. We will concentrate on the Cas A and Kepler remnants, as well as on SNe in the low metallicity environment of the Magellanic Clouds, as prototypes of SNe at high redshifts. Collaborators at the Onsala Observatory: Dr. Sebastien Muller (IP leader) Prof. John Black (co-IP leader) Ms. Sofia Wallström (PhD student) |