Abstract
We report millimeter observations of the line of sight to the recently discovered soft gamma repeater SGR 1627-41, which has been tentatively associated with the supernova remnant (SNR) G337.0-0.1. Among the eight molecular clouds along the line of sight to SGR 1627-41, we show that SNR G337.0-0.1 is probably interacting with one of the most massive giant molecular clouds (GMCs) in the Galaxy, at a distance of 11 kpc from the Sun. Based on the high extinction to the persistent X-ray counterpart of SGR 1627-41, we present evidence for an association of this new soft gamma repeater (SGR) with the SNR G337.0-0.1; they both appear to be located on the near side of the GMC. This is the second SGR located near an extraordinarily massive GMC. We suggest that SGR 1627-41 is a neutron star with a high transverse velocity ( approximately 1000 km s-1) escaping the young ( approximately 5000 yr) SNR G337.0-0.1.
Highlights
Soft gamma repeaters (SGRs) (Norris, Hertz, & Wood 1991) are believed to be a new class of high-energy transients that present recurrent outbursts with shorter duration and softer gamma-ray spectra than gamma-ray bursts (GRBs)
Three SGRs have so far been detected, and they seem associated with supernova remnants (SNRs) SGR 1806[20 is the only source whose position is known with high accuracy
One of its bursts has been simultaneously detected by the X-ray satellite ASCA (Murakami et al 1994) and the Burst and Transient Sources Experiment (BATSE) aboard the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) (Kouveliotou et al 1994) ; its position coincides with those of the radio core of the supernova remnant (SNR) G10.0[0.3 (Kulkarni et al 1994 ; Vasisht et al 1995) and a new quiescent X-ray source : AX 1805.7[2025 (Murakami et al 1994 ; Sonobe et al 1994)
Summary
Soft gamma repeaters (SGRs) (Norris, Hertz, & Wood 1991) are believed to be a new class of high-energy transients that present recurrent outbursts with shorter duration and softer gamma-ray spectra than gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). A detailed analysis (° 4) of the kinematics of the molecular clouds in the line of sight leads to a possible connection between SGR 1806[20, the SNR G10.0[0.3, W31, and a very bright blue star recently detected by Kulkarni et al (1995). Based on this analysis, we conclude that the distance to SGR 1806[20 is 14.5 ^ 1.4 kpc ; we discuss in ° 5 the consequences for the size and surrounding medium of the radio.
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