Laboratory Study of Bilateral Supernova Remnants and Continuous MHD Shocks

Abstract

Many supernova remnants (SNRs), such as G296.5+10.0, exhibit an axisymmetric or barrel shape. Such morphologies have previously been linked to the direction of the Galactic magnetic field, although this remains uncertain. These SNRs generate magnetohydrodynamic shocks in the interstellar medium, modifying its physical and chemical properties. The ability to study these shocks through observations is difficult due to the small spatial scales involved. In order to answer these questions, we perform a scaled laboratory experiment in which a laser-generated blast wave expands under the influence of a uniform magnetic field. The blast wave exhibits a spheroidal shape, whose major axis is aligned with the magnetic field, in addition to a more continuous shock front. The implications of our results are discussed in the context of astrophysical systems.