Hydrodynamic simulations of the interaction of supernova shock waves with a clumpy environment: the case of the RX J0852.0-4622 (Vela Jr) supernova remnant

摘要

Observations in all electromagnetic bands show that many supernova remnants(SNRs) have a very aspherical shape. This can be the result of asymmetries inthe supernova explosion or a clumpy circumstellar medium. We study thegeneration of inhomogeneities and the mixing of elements arising from these twosources in multidimensional hydrodynamic simulations of the propagation of asupernova blast wave into a cloudy environment. We model a specific SNR, VelaJr (RX J0852.0-4622). By comparing our results with recent observations, we canconstrain the properties of the explosion. We find that a very energeticexplosion of several 10^{51} erg occurring roughly about 800 years ago isconsistent with the shape and emission of the SNR, as well as a supernova withan energy closer to the canonical value of 10^{51} erg a few thousand yearsago.