The shape of cooling filaments in old supernova remnants

The evolution of a filament in an old supernova remnant is investigated in two dimensions using analytical methods to determine its structure and stability and to show whether it collapses into a sheet or a cylinder. All parameters are assumed constant along the length of the feature. The cross section of the filament is found to flatten as it cools, and to degenerate into a thin sheet which is unstable to asymmetric warping disturbances. This probably leads to a number of parallel striations as the filament splits up, consistent with observations in the Cygnus Loop. The ratio of depth to width is typically 10:1, and so the feature may appear to be tubelike or a sheet, depending on perspective. The application to Vela and Puppis, IC 443, S 147, and CTB 1 is pointed out.