Supernova Remnants in the Magellanic Clouds. V. The Complex Interior Structure of the N206 Supernova Remnant

Abstract

The N206 supernova remnant (SNR) in the Large Magellanic Cloud has long beenconsidered a prototypical ``mixed morphology'' SNR. Recent observations,however, have added a new twist to this familiar plot: an elongated,radially oriented radio feature seen in projection against the SNR face.Utilizing the high resolution and sensitivity available with the HubbleSpace Telescope, Chandra, and XMM-Newton, we have obtained opticalemission line images and spatially resolved X-ray spectral maps for thisintriguing SNR. Our findings present the SNR itself as a remnant in themiddle to late stages of its evolution. X-ray emission associated withthe radio linear feature strongly suggests it to be a pulsar windnebula (PWN). A small X-ray knot is discovered at the outer tip ofthis feature. The feature's elongated morphology and the surroundingwedge-shaped X-ray enhancement strongly suggest a bow shock PWN structure.