An Optical Nebula Associated with a Young X-Ray Supernova Remnant in Vela

A remarkable filamentary nebula (RCW 37) in the close vicinity of the newly discovered X-ray-emitting supernova remnant in Vela (RX J0852.0-4622) is investigated. This supernova explosion is arguably the nearest in recent history. A comparison is made between deep United Kingdom Schmidt Telescope optical images of the region and the ROSAT X-ray data in which the remnant was discovered. This reveals that RCW 37 is most likely directly associated with an X-ray projection from RX J0852.0-4622. This interpretation is strengthened by new long-slit echelle spectrometry of the edge of RCW 37 in the light of [S II] lambda6716. A systematic increase in the velocity splitting of the line profiles, from the nebular edge toward its center, of ~100 km sSUP-1 SUP is found. The structure bears morphological and kinematical similarities to the famous Crab Nebula funnel.A remarkable filamentary nebula (RCW 37) in the close vicinity of the newly discovered X-ray-emitting supernova remnant in Vela (RX J0852.0-4622) is investigated. This supernova explosion is arguably the nearest in recent history. A comparison is made between deep United Kingdom Schmidt Telescope optical images of the region and the ROSAT X-ray data in which the remnant was discovered. This reveals that RCW 37 is most likely directly associated with an X-ray projection from RX J0852.0-4622. This interpretation is strengthened by new long-slit echelle spectrometry of the edge of RCW 37 in the light of [S II] lambda6716. A systematic increase in the velocity splitting of the line profiles, from the nebular edge toward its center, of ~100 km sSUP-1 SUP is found. The structure bears morphological and kinematical similarities to the famous Crab Nebula funnel.