Abstract
We present a study of the interstellar medium in an extended region towards the shell-type supernova remnant (SNR) RCW 103, based on HI λ21 cm data obtained with the ATCA radiotelescope (Australia) and on observations of the rotational transition J = 1 - 0 of ^{12}CO and HCO^+ performed towards the south of the SNR using the Australian MOPRA radiotelescope. In order to visualize the atomic ambient medium where RCW 103 evolves we have developed a three dimensional display for the HI λ21 cm data. This visualization has the great advantage of providing spatial and kinematical information simultaneously, a useful tool to get a 3-dimensional insight of the ambient gas. From the molecular lines study, we confirm on the basis of the observed changes in the intensity ratios that the SNR is physically interacting with a nearby cloud to the south.
