A new study on a type Iax stellar remnant and its probable association with SN 1181

We report observations and modeling of the stellar remnant and presumed double-degenerate merger of Type~Iax supernova Pa30, which is the probable remnant of SN~1181~AD. It is the only known bound stellar SN remnant and the only star with Wolf-Rayet features that is neither a planetary nebula central star nor a massive Pop I progenitor. We model the unique emission-line spectrum with broad, strong O~{\sc vi} and O~{\sc viii} lines as a fast stellar wind and shocked, hot gas. Non-LTE wind modeling indicates a mass-loss rate of $\sim {10}^{-6}{\mathrm{M}}_{\odot }\mathrm{y}{\mathrm{r}}^{-1}$ and a terminal velocity of $\sim$15,000~km,s${}^{-1}$, consistent with earlier results. O~{\sc viii} lines indicate shocked gas temperatures of $T\simeq 4$MK. We derive a magnetic field upper limit of $B<2.5$MG, below earlier suggestions. The luminosity indicates a remnant mass of 1.0–1.65,\rm M${}_{\odot }$ with ejecta mass $0.15\pm 0.05{\mathrm{M}}_{\odot }$. Archival photometry suggests the stellar remnant has dimmed by $\sim$0.5 magnitudes over 100 years. A low Ne/O$<0.15$ argues against a O-Ne white dwarf in the merger. A cold dust shell is only the second detection of dust in a SN Iax and the first of cold dust. Our ejecta mass and kinetic energy estimates of the remnant are consistent with Type Iax extragalactic sources.