Dense Gas Towards the RX J1713.7-3946 Supernova Remnant
Abstract
We present results from a Mopra 7 mm-wavelength survey that targeted the dense gas-tracing CS(1-0) transition towards the young γ-ray-bright supernova remnant, RX J1713.7-3946 (SNR G 347.3-0.5). In a hadronic γ-ray emission scenario, where cosmic ray (CR) protons interact with gas to produce the observed γ-ray emission, the mass of potential CR target material is an important factor. We summarise newly discovered dense gas components, towards Cores G and L, and Clumps N1, N2, N3, and T1, which have masses of 1 - 104 M⊙. We argue that these components are not likely to contribute significantly to γ-ray emission in a hadronic γ-ray emission scenario. This would be the case if RX J1713.7-3946 were at either the currently favoured distance of ~1 kpc or an alternate distance (as suggested in some previous studies) of ~6 kpc.
- Publication:
-
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
- Pub Date:
- November 2013
- DOI:
- 10.1017/pasa.2013.35
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1310.7017
- Bibcode:
- 2013PASA...30...55M
- Keywords:
-
- cosmic rays;
- gamma rays: ISM;
- ISM: clouds;
- molecular data;
- supernovae: individual: RX J1713.7-3946;
- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
- E-Print:
- 19 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in PASA