When Microquasar Jets and Supernova Collide: Hydrodynamically Simulating the SS433-W50 Interaction

Abstract

We present investigations of the interaction between the relativistic, precessing jets of the microquasar SS433 with the surrounding, expanding Supernova Remnant (SNR) shell W50, and the consequent evolution in the inhomogeneous Interstellar Medium (ISM). We model their evolution using the hydrodynamic FLASH code, which uses adaptive mesh refinement. We show that the peculiar morphology of the entire nebula can be reproduced to a good approximation, due to the combined effects of: (i) the evolution of the SNR shell from the free-expansion phase through the Sedov blast wave in an exponential density profile from the Milky Way disc, and (ii) the subsequent interaction of the relativistic, precessing jets of SS 433. Our simulations reveal: (1) Independent measurement of the Galaxy scale-height and density local to SS433 (as n_0 = 0.2 cm^{-3}, Z_d = 40 pc), with this scale-height being in excellent agreement with the work of Dehnen & Binney. (2) A new mechanism for hydrodynamic refocusing of conical jets. (3) The current jet precession characteristics do not simply extrapolate back to produce the lobes of W50 but a history of episodic jet activity having at least 3 different outbursts with different precession characteristics would be sufficient to produce the W50 nebula. A history of intermittent episodes of jet activity from SS433 is also suggested in a kinematic study of W50 detailed in a companion paper (Goodall et al, MNRAS submitted). (4) An estimate of the age of W50, and equivalently the age of SS433's black hole created during the supernova explosion, in the range of 17,000 - 21,000 years.

Accepted to MNRAS for publication. 23 pages, 11 figures, 5 Tables. Website associated with manuscript: http://www-astro.physics.ox.ac.uk/~ptg/RESEARCH/research.html

References in corpus (4)

• The Distance to SS433/W50 and its Interaction with the ISM
• Fluctuations and symmetry in the speed and direction of the jets of SS433 on different timescales
• Determining the Nature of the SS 433 Binary Using an X-ray Spectrum During Eclipse
• Deep optical observations of the interaction of the SS 433 microquasar jet with the W 50 radio continuum shell

Cited by in corpus (44)

• The Youngest Known X-ray Binary: Circinus X-1 and its Natal Supernova Remnant
• Acceleration and transport of relativistic electrons in the jets of the microquasar SS 433
• Another thread in the tapestry of stellar feedback: X-ray binaries
• A Multi-wavelength Study of the Turbulent Central Engine of the Low-mass AGN hosted by NGC404
• The supergiant shell with triggered star formation in Irr galaxy IC 2574: neutral and ionized gas kinematics
• Interacting Large-Scale Magnetic Fields and Ionised Gas in the W50/SS433 System
• Constraints on particle acceleration in SS433/W50 from MAGIC and H.E.S.S. observations
• Multiband counterparts of two eclipsing ultraluminous X-ray sources in M 51
• Shell-Shocked: The Interstellar Medium Near Cygnus X-1
• The Large-scale ISM of SS433/W50 Revisited
• MUSE spectroscopy of the ULX NGC 1313 X-1: a shock-ionised bubble, an X-ray photoionised nebula, and two supernova remnants
• The twisted jets of Circinus X-1
• Multi-wavelength Emission from Galactic Jets: the Case of the Microquasar SS433
• LOFAR 150-MHz observations of SS 433 and W 50
• A Study of the Evolution of the Close Binaries Cyg X-3, IC 10 X-1, NGC 300 X-1, SS 433, and M33 X-7 Using the "Scenario Machine"
• Jets of SS433 on scales of dozens parsecs
• Is SS 433 a misaligned ultraluminous X-ray source? Constraints from its reflected signal in the Galactic plane
• Continuous Jets and Backflow Models for the Formation of W50/SS433 in Magnetohydrodynamics Simulations
• A newly discovered double-double candidate microquasar in NGC 300
• Super-Eddington Accretion in the Ultraluminous X-ray Source NGC1313 X-2: An Ephemeral Feast
• Magneto-hydrodynamic Simulations of a Jet Drilling an HI Cloud: Shock Induced Formation of Molecular Clouds and Jet Breakup
• Spatially resolved study of the SS 433/W50 west region with Chandra: X-ray structure and spectral variation of non-thermal emission
• Magnetic Field Analysis of the Bow and Terminal Shock of the SS433 Jet
• Tentative evidence of spatially extended GeV emission from SS433/W50
• W 50 and SS 433
• Millimetre observations of a sub-arcsecond jet from Circinus X-1
• A New Microquasar Candidate in M83
• Energy estimation of high energy particles associated with the SS433/W50 system through radio observation at 1.4 GHz
• Molecular clouds at the eastern edge of radio nebula W50
• X-ray panorama of the SS433/W50 complex by SRG/eROSITA
• A Galactic Dust Devil: far-infrared observations of the Tornado Supernova Remnant candidate
• On the Formation of SS433
• Optical IFU spectroscopy of a bipolar microquasar jet in NGC 300
• Identification of X-ray lines in the spectrum of the arcsec-scale precessing jets of SS 433
• Progenitor constraints for core-collapse supernovae from Chandra X-ray observations
• Does slow and steady win the race? Investigating feedback processes in giant molecular clouds
• Galactic chimney sweeping: the effect of 'gradual' stellar feedback mechanisms on the evolution of dwarf galaxies
• Astrophysical Evidence of Wakefield Acceleration in Galactic and Extragalactic Jets via Gamma Rays and UHECRs
• PeV particle acceleration and non-thermal emission in the `minimalist' model of the extended jets in W50/SS433
• VHE observations of binary systems performed with the MAGIC telescopes
• Constraints on the collimated X-ray emission of SS 433 from the reflection on molecular clouds
• The Cosmic-ray Knee as a Local Signature of Nearby PeVatrons
• Simulation-calibrated Bayesian inference for progenitor properties of the microquasar SS 433
• Hard X-ray emission from the eastern jet of SS 433 powering the W50 `Manatee' nebula: Evidence for particle re-acceleration