Chandra Observation of the Magellanic Cloud Supernova Remnant 0454−672 in N9

A Chandra observation has defined the extent of the SNRB0454-692 in the LMC H II region N9. The remnant has dimension 2.3× 3.6 and is elongated in the NS direction. The brightest emission comes from a NS central ridge which includes three bright patches. There is good agreement between X-ray and [O III] and [S II] morphology. The remnant is old enough so that optical data give more information about dynamics than do the X-ray data. The SN energy release was ≥ 4×10 ergs and the age is ∼ 3×10 years. There are several unresolved sources nearby but none are clearly associated with the remnant. The X-ray spectrum is soft and indicates enhanced Fe abundance in the central region, consistent with a Type Ia SN origin, but a Type II origin cannot be ruled out.