Description
M33 contains a large number of emission nebulae identified as supernova remnants (SNRs) based on the high [SII]:H{alpha} ratios characteristic of shocked gas. Using Chandra data from the ChASeM33 survey with a 0.35-2keV sensitivity of ~2x10^34^erg/s, we have detected 82 of 137 SNR candidates, yielding confirmation of (or at least strongly support for) their SNR identifications. A spectral analysis of the seven X-ray brightest SNRs reveals that two, G98-31 and G98-35, have spectra that appear to indicate enrichment by ejecta from core-collapse supernova explosions. We have used a combination of new and archival optical and radio observations to attempt to better understand why some objects are detected as X-ray sources and others are not. We have also developed a morphological classification scheme for the optically identified SNRs and discussed the efficacy of this scheme as a predictor of X-ray detectability. Finally, we have compared the SNRs found in M33 to those that have been observed in the Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds.
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