Resolving SNR 0540-6944 from LMC X-1 with Chandra

Abstract

We examine the supernova remnant SNR 0540-697 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) using data from the Chandra Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer. The X-ray emission from this supernova remnant (SNR) had previously been hidden in the bright emission of the nearby X-ray binary LMC X-1 however, new observations with Chandra can finally reveal the SNR's structure and spectrum. We find the SNR to be a thick-shelled structure about 19 pc in diameter, with a brightened northeast region. Spectral results suggest a temperature of 0.31 keV and an X-ray luminosity (0.3-3.0 keV) of 8.4×10³³ ergs s^-1. We estimate an age of 12,000-20,000 yr for this SNR, but note that this estimate does not take into account the possibility of cavity expansion or other environmental effects.