The Big Picture

Why would a Type II supernova occur in denser areas of the Galaxy?

Because the least massive stars explode first in super dense regions like where the solar system is located.

Because the most massive stars explode not far from their birthplace, which is often of stellar gas and dust

Because the least corrosive materials are born in stellar nurseries, allowing the most massive stars to fall away and explode in vast, empty spaces.

None of the above

Is Vela a Type II supernova remnant?

Yes

We don't know yet

It's either Type II or Type IIz

What is the likely scenario depicted to the west of the Vela SNR?

A spherical cow gave birth

A shock-cloud interaction

A supernova explosion

The pulsar has experienced a massive natal kick

Where does our region lie with respect to the SNR X-ray emission as seen with ROSAT?

On a bright boundary

In a breakout region

In retrograde motion

None of the above

What is next in this saga?

Need to understand the particle population at work and the likelihood for cosmic ray acceleration

Need to understand the particle population so we can measure the distance to Vela.

Need to understand the particle population so we know how much danger the Earth and the solar system could be in.

We need to measure the cosmic rays to see if a gamma-ray burst is going to kill us all.

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