The XMM-Newton X-ray emission of the SNR N120 in the LMC

We present new XMM-Newton observations of the supernova remnant N120 in the LMC, and numerical simulations on the evolution of this supernova remnant which we compare with the X-ray observations. The supernova remnant N120, together with several HII regions, forms a large nebular complex5D (also called N120) whose shape resembles a semicircular ring. From the XMM-Newton data we generate images and spectra of this remnant in the energy band between 0.2 to 2.0 keV. The images show that the X-ray emission is brighter towards the east (i.e., towards the rim of the large nebular complex). The EPIC/MOS1 and MOS2 data reveal a thermal spectrum in soft X-rays. 2D axisymmetric numerical simulations with the Yguaz\'u-a code were carried out assuming that the remnant is expanding into an inhomogeneous ISM with an exponential density gradient and showing that thermal conduction effects are negligible. Simulated X-ray emission maps were obtained from the numerical simulations in order to compare them with the observations. We find good agreement between the XMM-Newton data, previous optical kinematic data, and the numerical simulations; the simulations reproduce the observed X-ray luminosity and surface brightness distribution. We have also detected more extended diffuse X-ray emission probably due to the N120 large HII complex or superbubble.