What distinct combination of features defines a Composite Remnant classification?
Answer
The presence of a clear shell structure along with a strong, active, centrally located non-thermal radio source.
Composite remnants are a special category recognized by the coexistence of two distinct structural elements, signaling ongoing complex physics. They must possess the characteristic boundary defined by the expanding shock wave, which manifests as a visible shell structure. Crucially, they also contain a powerful, centrally located feature that emits strongly in non-thermal radio wavelengths. This central emission is usually attributed to a pulsar wind nebula (PWN), powered by a rapidly spinning neutron star left behind by a core-collapse supernova, indicating an active central engine influencing the broader remnant structure.
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