Astrophysics of Supernova Remnants In the 2020's: Their Progenitors, Engines and High-Energy Phenomena

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Supernovae (SNe) and their remnants (SNRs) represent some of the most energetic and fascinating events in the Universe. They are primary drivers for both the thermal (hot) and non-thermal (energetic) Universe. They are relevant to cosmology, the chemical enrichment and dynamics of galaxies, cosmic ray acceleration, extreme (neutron star and black hole) physics, cosmic magnetism and the exploding new era of "multi-wavelength, multi-messenger" astrophysics.  SNR studies across the electromagnetic spectrum have significantly advanced our understanding of these objects and of the aftermath of a SN explosion, however many fundamental questions remain to be answered. These questions include: How and where do SNe of the different types explode? What is the make-up of the chemical elements they produce?  What are the maximum energies to which cosmic rays are accelerated in SN shocks?  Is the observed diversity of neutron stars associated with SNRs caused by nature or nurture? Can SNRs host black holes? We aim to address these questions by studying Galactic and Magellanic Clouds objects, using a multi-wavelength approach (with focus on X-ray and radio data). This field will also significantly benefit from, as well as feed, recent theoretical efforts aimed at studying nucleosynthesis yields from type Ia and core-collapse SNe, particle acceleration at supersonic shocks, and magnetic field evolution in neutron stars. The future looks bright with upcoming facilities planned during and beyond the 2020's : from the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and its pathfinders in the radio, to the Hitomi recovery mission and ATHENA in X-rays, to the Cherenkov Telescope Array in gamma-rays (CTA). The proposed program naturally builds on the fast-growing SNR group that I have established in recent years at the U. of Manitoba. New directions are being pursued in gravitational waves/neutron-star mergers astrophysics and data mining which are proving to be successful in recruiting (more) students into science in general, and high-energy/SN astrophysics in particular.