Suzaku observation of the Galactic supernova remnant CTB 37A (G348.5+0.1)

Abstract

In this paper, we present the results of the observations of CTB 37A obtained with the X-ray imaging spectrometer onboard the Suzaku satellite. The X-ray spectrum of CTB 37A is fitted well by two components: a single-temperature ionization equilibrium component (VMEKAL), with solar abundances, an electron temperature of kTe~ 0.6 keV and an absorbing column density of NH~ 3 × 1022 cm-2, and a power-law component with a photon index of Γ~ 1.6. The X-ray spectrum of CTB 37A is characterized by clearly detected K-shell emission lines of Mg, Si, S and Ar. The plasma with solar abundances supports the idea that the X-ray emission originates from the shocked interstellar material. The ambient gas density and the age of the remnant are estimated to be ~ 1f-1/2 cm-3 and ~ 3 × 104f1/2 yr, respectively. The centre-filling X-ray emission, surrounded by a shell-like radio structure, and other X-ray properties indicate that this remnant could be a new member of the class of mixed-morphology supernova remnants. © 2011 The Authors. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society © 2011 RAS.