On the properties and the nature of W50

Abstract

A consideration of the supernova remnant W50 suggests that it may consist of a normal shell at least partially surrounding a “plerion”, i.e. a filled-center supernova remnant resembling the Crab Nebula. The evidence for the possibility is discussed and a number of observations are suggested which can test the proposal. The suggestion is put forward that filled-center type supernova remnants, built and maintained by a central energy source, may represent locally “in miniature” the mechanism for the conversion of rotational and gravitational energy into relativistic synchrotron electrons seen in the cores of extragalactic radio sources.