vikram/snrwkshop/snmain.html
The study of Supernova Remnants (SNRs) and their interaction with the
surrounding medium has made significant advances in the last decade or
so, thanks in large part to detailed observations of SN 1987A and SN
1993J. The vast amounts of data obtained over several years of study
have considerably improved our understanding of the evolution of young
supernova remnants in general. The coincidence of occurrence of SN
1998bw within the error circle of the gamma-ray burst GRB 980425,
suggesting a relationship between the two objects and new avenues to
advance our understanding of them, has added an exciting new dimension
to our investigation of supernovae (SNe).
With a view to discuss the latest results on these and similar topics,
The Special Research Centre for Theoretical Astrophysics at the
University of Sydney organised a workshop on Supernova Remnants,
Pulsars and the Interstellar medium. The two day workshop (March 18-19
1999) brought together more than 65 observers and theorists from all
over Australia (and even a few from overseas), providing a forum for
frank discussion and vigorous interaction. The topic was broadly
interpreted, and the agenda for the meeting was kept open to
accommodate talks that would be interesting to the audience, even if
they did not easily fall into one of the categories. Graduate students
were especially encouraged to attend and present their work.
A discussion of supernovae naturally leads one to think of the stellar
remnants that remain after the explosion. In recent years large-scale
surveys have led to a large increase in the number of known
pulsars. Thus pulsars and the nebulae around them formed an important
part of the workshop, with two sessions being devoted to the study of
pulsars and their properties, especially radio pulsars. There were
also interesting reviews presented on contemporary topics such as
Magnetars and Anomalous X-ray Pulsars.
Finally the last session was devoted to the study of masers in SNRs, a
field that, after a period of dormancy, is enjoying a great resurgence
nowadays. Intriguing new observations were revealed, with the promise
of more to come.
The following summary captures the essence of the science that was
discussed at the workshop. The various sections correspond to the
sessions at the meeting. Further details, and abstracts of talks, are
available at the meeting home page:
http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/vikram/snrwkshop/snmain.html
© Copyright Astronomical Society of Australia 1997