Global Deceleration and Inward Movements of X-Ray Knots and Rims of RCW 103

Abstract

The kinematics of shocks, ejecta knots, and the compact remnant of a supernova remnant give insights into the nature of the progenitor and the surrounding environment. We report on a measurement of the proper motion of X-ray knots and rims of the magnetar-hosting supernova remnant RCW 103. Chandra data obtained in three epochs, 1999, 2010, and 2016, are used. We find a global deceleration of 12 knots and rims in both northern and southern regions within the last ∼24 yr, even though the age of the remnant is thought to be greater than 2 kyr. Some of them even changed their directions of motion from outward (∼1000 km s−1) to inward (∼−2000 km s−1). Our findings can be explained by a collision with a high-density medium at both the northern and southern edges of the remnant, although the remnant may still be expanding in the windblown cavity. The proper motion of the associated magnetar 1E 161348−5055 is possibly detected with a velocity of ≈500 km s−1.