Astrophysics Colloquium: Supernova Remnants: Laboratories for Extreme Physics and Cosmic Calibration

Abstract: The superior resolution and sensitivity of JWST at near- and mid-infrared wavelengths open new pathways to address key questions about the nature of supernovae through detailed investigations of young supernova remnants (SNRs). As resolved laboratories of extreme physics, SNRs provide the most direct measurements of nucleosynthesis yields, dust formation efficiencies, shock energetics, and compact object birth properties. These robust measurements are essential for ensuring that interpretations of the distant universe rest on a foundation of well-understood local phenomena.

My talk will outline how JWST observations can complement high-energy studies and how synergy across these wavelength regimes can advance our understanding of supernova progenitor systems, their explosion mechanisms, and the fate of their stellar cores. Particular emphasis will be placed on three science cases: (1) producing detailed maps of shocked and unshocked ejecta that enable direct comparison with modern multidimensional explosion models; (2) constraining progenitor systems and their late-stage evolution through observations of circumstellar environments, searches for surviving companions, and kinematic mapping of metal-rich debris; and (3) investigating the processes that shape the formation and long-term evolution of remnant compact objects.