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arXiv · 2602.22321

XRISM Observation of the Supernova Remnant N103B: Velocity Structure and Thermal Properties

Tyler Holland-Ashford·Brian J. Williams
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Abstract

We present the first analysis of the X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) observation of the supernova remnant (SNR) N103B. We fit the X-ray spectrum taken with the Resolve microcalorimeter, which captured emission lines from the predominantly ejecta elements Si, S, Ar, Ca, Cr, Mn, and Fe. Notably, our fits require a previously unidentified high-temperature, highly-ionized, Fe-dominated plasma component with particularly high Cr and Mn abundances, matching a feature also present in the recent XRISM analysis of the SNR N132D. We find that all ejecta in N103B exhibits significant line broadening arising mostly from thermal Doppler broadening: increasing from $\sigma_{\rm th}\sim1700$ km s$^{-1}$ for intermediate-mass element (IME: Si, S, Ar, and Ca) ejecta to $\sim$2800 km s$^{-1}$ for Fe-rich ejecta. These velocities correspond to reverse shock velocities of $\sim$3500 and $\sim$5900 km s$^{-1}$, respectively, in the ejecta frame of rest. Finally, we find that the IMEs are redshifted with a bulk velocity of $\sim$360 km s$^{-1}$ while the Fe-dominated components are split: one redshifted at $\sim$1560 km s$^{-1}$ and the other blueshifted at $\sim$1020 km s$^{-1}$. Our results provide further support for the double-ring structure of N103B as it expands into the bipolar winds of a non-degenerate companion and highlight the strength of high-resolution spectroscopic observations of SNRs.

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Tyler Holland-Ashford, Brian J. Williams. 2026-02-25. XRISM Observation of the Supernova Remnant N103B: Velocity Structure and Thermal Properties. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357%2Fae4357

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