Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 August 2017
While reviewing and systematizing the properties of the class of supernova remnants resembling the Crab Nebula it has been found that supernova remnants can be split into three morphological groups – Class S (shells), Class P (plerions), and Class C (combinations) – where the Class C objects appear to represent a new and especially interesting classification. In this overview, the identifying properties of all three classes are defined. Because the large Class S has been studied in detail many times previously, it is not discussed further here. For the smaller Classes P and C, the individual members and suspected members are presented and their properties reviewed. Finally, an origin and evolution for each class is suggested.