Supernova Remnants in the Magellanic Clouds. IV. X-Ray Emission from the Largest Supernova Remnant in the Large Magellanic Cloud

We present the first X-ray detection of SNR 0450-70.9, the largest known supernova remnant (SNR) in the Large Magellanic Cloud. To study the physical conditions of this SNR, we have obtained XMM-Newton X-ray observations, optical images and high-dispersion spectra, and radio continuum maps. Optical images of SNR 0450-70.9 show a large, irregular elliptical shell with bright filaments along the eastern and western rims and within the shell interior. The interior filaments have higher [S II]/Hα ratios and form an apparent inner shell morphology. The X-ray emission region is smaller than the full extent of the optical shell, with the brightest X-ray emission found within the small interior shell and on the western rim of the large shell. The expansion velocity of the small shell is ~220 km s-1, while that of the large shell is ~120 km s-1. The radio image shows central brightening and a fairly flat radio spectral index over the SNR. However, no point X-ray or radio source corresponding to a pulsar is detected, and the X-ray emission is predominantly thermal. Therefore, these phenomena can be most reasonably explained in terms of the advanced age of the large SNR. Using hydrodynamic models combined with a nonequilibrium ionization model for thermal X-ray emission, we derived a lower limit on the SNR age of ~45,000 yr, well into the later stages of SNR evolution. Despite this, the temperature and density derived from spectral fits to the X-ray emission indicate that the remnant is still overpressured and thus that the development is largely driven by hot gas in the SNR interior.