Uncovering the Explosions of Supernova Remnants

Supernova remnants (SNRs), the objects leftover hundreds to thousands of years after supernovae, are excellent laboratories to study the debris of these explosions and its interaction with the interstellar medium. Nearly 300 SNRs have been identified in the Milky Way galaxy, and more than 100 of these have been observed with modern X-ray telescopes. However, the complex and heterogeneous nature of SNRs has hindered the characterization of their properties, precluding comparison of observations with theoretical predictions. In this talk, I will highlight results from the first large-scale, systematic study of X-ray observations of SNRs. This work provides insights regarding the nature of explosions, the efficiency of hydrodynamical instabilities in ejecta mixing, and the role of environment in SNR evolution.