Constraints on the distribution of supernova remnants with Galactocentric radius

Abstract

Abstract Supernova remnants (SNRs) in the Galaxy are an important source of energy injection into the interstellar medium, and also of cosmic rays. Currently there are 294 known SNRs in the Galaxy, and their distribution with Galactocentric radius is of interest for various studies. Here I discuss some of the statistics of Galactic SNRs, including the observational selection effects that apply, and difficulties in obtaining distances for individual remnants from the ‘$\Sigma$–D’ relation. Comparison of the observed Galactic longitude distribution of a sample of bright Galactic SNRs – which are not strongly affected by selection effects – with those expected from models is used to constrain the Galactic distribution of SNRs. The best-fitting power-law/exponential model is more concentrated towards the Galactic Centre than the widely used distribution obtained by Case & Bhattacharya.