Sifting the debris: Patterns in the SNR population with unsupervised ML methods

Context. Supernova remnants (SNRs) carry vast amounts of mechanical and radiative energy that heavily influence the structural, dynamical, and chemical evolution of galaxies. To this day, more than 300 SNRs have been discovered in the Milky Way, exhibiting a wide variety of observational features. However, existing classification schemes are mainly based on their radio morphology. Aims. In this work, we introduce a novel unsupervised deep learning pipeline to analyse a representative subsample of the Galactic SNR population (~50% of the total) with the aim of finding a connection between their multi-wavelength features and their physical properties. Methods. The pipeline involves two stages: (1) a representation learning stage, consisting of a convolutional autoencoder that feeds on imagery from infrared and radio continuum surveys (WISE 22 μm, Hi-GAL 70 μm and SMGPS 30 cm) and produces a compact representation in a lower-dimensionality latent space; and (2) a clustering stage that seeks meaningful clusters in the latent space that can be linked to the physical properties of the SNRs and their surroundings. Results. Our results suggest that this approach, when combined with an intermediate uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) reprojection of the autoencoded embeddings into a more clusterable manifold, enables us to find reliable clusters. Despite a large number of sources being classified as outliers, most clusters relate to the presence of distinctive features, such as the distribution of infrared emission, the presence of radio shells and pulsar wind nebulae, and the existence of dust filaments.