SPECTROSCOPY OF THE SUPERNOVA REMNANT CTB-1

We have obtained spectra at 11 positions within the supernova remnant CTB 1 using the Automated Multi-Object Spectrometer (AMOS) at Lick Obs ervatory. We determined the bulk velocity of the remnant and performed a global study of important emission lines from the shock-heated ISM. As these are the first results reported from this instrument, we chos e some positions to overlap those of earlier observers. We measured a mean velocity for the remant of -35 +/- 6 km s-1 placing CTB 1 at a ki nematic distance of 3.1 +/- 0.4 kpc. This distance corresponds to that of an OB association in the Perseus arm. We also establish a probable age for the remnant of approximately 7500-11,000 years. The spatially resolved spectroscopy reveals a significant gradient in the strength of the [N II] forbidden lines as a function of azimuthal distance alon g the rim of the remnant. The most likely explanation for this gradien t is a smooth variation in the density in the ambient ISM, which would produce a similar variation in the radiative shock velocity. The wide range in line ratio values across the remnant indicate that caution m ust be exercised when evaluating global properties of supernova remnan ts based on spectra from only a few filaments in individual remnants.