Supernova Remnant Kes 17: Efficient Cosmic Ray Accelerator inside a
  Molecular Cloud
  Supernova remnant Kes 17 (SNR G304.6+0.1) is one of a few but growing number
of remnants detected across the electromagnetic spectrum. In this paper, we
analyze recent radio, X-ray, and gamma-ray observations of this object,
determining that efficient cosmic ray acceleration is required to explain its
broadband non-thermal spectrum. These observations also suggest that Kes 17 is
expanding inside a molecular cloud, though our determination of its age depends
on whether thermal conduction or clump evaporation is primarily responsible for
its center-filled thermal X-ray morphology. Evidence for efficient cosmic ray
acceleration in Kes 17 supports recent theoretical work that the strong
magnetic field, turbulence, and clumpy nature of molecular clouds enhances
cosmic ray production in supernova remnants. While additional observations are
needed to confirm this interpretation, further study of Kes 17 is important for
understanding how cosmic rays are accelerated in supernova remnants.
