Interstellar absorption lower limit
The argument
Because comparing the remnant's X-ray absorption with CO and HI gas column densities places it at least 3.2 kiloparsecs away, a distance of about 2.5 kiloparsecs is too small. Kinematic associations of the remnant with gas features point the same way: a proposed association with an HI void on the near side of the 3-kpc expanding arm would put the remnant at roughly 5 to 6 kiloparsecs.
Does it work?
Not yet evaluated.
Premises
- InconclusiveThe evidence and argument have been examined and do not come down on either side.constitution →X-ray absorption compared with CO and HI gas columns places HESS J1731-347 at least 3.2 kiloparsecs away
Where it is made
Passages where sources make, criticize or mention this argument. They record where it appears, not how strong it is, and none has precedence over another.
No source is recorded as making it.
Earlier ratings
- Jul 21, 2026
The inference goes through: a distance of about 2.5 kiloparsecs is directly excluded if the absorption and gas-column comparison places the remnant at least 3.2 kiloparsecs away. The argument's entire weight rests on that single premise, which carries systematic uncertainties of its own: gas column calibration, cloud clumping, and how much of the measured column actually lies in front of the remnant. The kinematic HI-void association at 5 to 6 kiloparsecs strengthens the same conclusion but is itself a plausibility argument.