Ultraviolet observations of the peculiar supernova remnant in NGC 4449

IUE spectra were obtained of the emission region in the irregular galaxy NGC 4449 that has been identified as a young, oxygen-rich supernova remnant embedded in an H II region. The spectra show a blue continuum with a strong C IV 1550 P Cygni feature. Comparison to spectral standard stars observed with IUE shows similarities to O3-O7 V and early B Ia stars, indicating that massive young stars are present in the H II region. This comparison also indicates that the ultraviolet extinction in NGC 4449 may be peculiar. Careful inspection of the line-by-line data reveals a broad emission feature at 1657 A that may be semiforbidden O III emission from the supernova remnant. These observations are used in conjunction with shock model calculations to estimate limits on the relative abundances of carbon, silicon, and oxygen in the supernova remnant.