Brose, Robert et al. (2025) Teleios (G305.4–2.2) – the mystery of a perfectly shaped new galactic supernova remnant. Astronomical Society of Australia. Publications (Online), 42 (104). ISSN 1448-6083
Abstract
We present the serendipitous radio-continuum discovery of a likely Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) G305.4–2.2. This object displays a
remarkable circular symmetry in shape, making it one of the most circular Galactic SNRs known. Nicknamed Teleios due to its symmetry, it
was detected in the new Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) radio–continuum
images with an angular size of 1 320×1 260 and PA = 0◦. While there is a hint of possible Hα and gamma-ray emission, Teleios is
exclusively seen at radio–continuum frequencies. Interestingly, Teleios is not only almost perfectly symmetric, but it also has one of the
lowest surface brightnesses discovered among Galactic SNRs and a steep spectral index of α=–0.6±0.3. Our best estimates from HI studies
and the –D relation place Teleios as a type Ia SNR at a distance of either ∼2.2 kpc (near-side) or ∼7.7 kpc (far-side). This indicates two
possible scenarios, either a young (under 1 000 yr) or a somewhat older SNR (over 10 000 yr). With a corresponding diameter of 14/48 pc,
our evolutionary studies place Teleios at the either early or late Sedov phase, depending on the distance/diameter estimate. However, our
modelling also predicts X-ray emission, which we do not see in the present generation of eROSITA images. We also explored a type Iax
explosion scenario that would point to a much closer distance of <1 kpc and Teleios size of only ∼3.3 pc, which would be similar to the
only known type Iax remnant SN1181. Unfortunately, all examined scenarios have their challenges, and no definitive Supernova (SN) origin
type can be established at this stage. Remarkably, Teleios has retained its symmetrical shape as it aged even to such a diameter, suggesting
expansion into a rarefied and isotropic ambient medium. The low radio surface brightness and the lack of pronounced polarisation can be
explained by a high level of ambient rotation measure (RM), with the largest RM being observed at Teleios’s centre.
Metadata
| Item Type: | Article (Published) |
|---|---|
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Radio continuum; general; ISM; supernova remnants; individual: Teleios (G305.4–2.2) |
| Subjects: | Physical Sciences > Analytical chemistry Physical Sciences > Physics |
| DCU Faculties and Centres: | DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health > School of Physical Sciences Research Institutes and Centres > Centre for Astrophysics & Relativity (CfAR) |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
| Official URL: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/publicatio... |
| Copyright Information: | Authors |
| ID Code: | 31507 |
| Deposited On: | 05 Sep 2025 10:46 by Gordon Kennedy . Last Modified 05 Sep 2025 10:46 |
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