Skip to main content

New paper: 3D distribution of ejecta in Supernova 1987A

Published Sep 20, 2016

Due to its proximity, SN 1987A offers a unique opportunity to directly observe the geometry of a stellar explosion as it unfolds. Here we present spectral and imaging observations of SN 1987A obtained ~10,000 days after the explosion with HST/STIS and VLT/SINFONI at optical and near-infrared wavelengths. These observations allow us to produce the most detailed 3D map of H-alpha to date, the first 3D maps for [Ca II] \(\lambda\lambda\)7292, 7324, [O I] \(\lambda\lambda\)6300, 6364 and Mg II \(\lambda\lambda\)9218, 9244, as well as new maps for [Si I]+[Fe II] 1.644 \(\mu \textrm{m}\) and He I 2.058  \(\mu \textrm{m}\) . A comparison with previous observations shows that the [Si I]+[Fe II] flux and morphology have not changed significantly during the past ten years, providing evidence that it is powered by \(^{44}\)Ti. The time-evolution of H-alpha shows that it is predominantly powered by X-rays from the ring, in agreement with previous findings. All lines that have sufficient signal show a similar large-scale 3D structure, with a north-south asymmetry that resembles a broken dipole. This structure correlates with early observations of asymmetries, showing that there is a global asymmetry that extends from the inner core to the outer envelope. On smaller scales, the two brightest lines, H-alpha and [Si I]+[Fe II] 1.644  \(\mu \textrm{m}\) , show substructures at the level of ~ 200 - 1000 km/s and clear differences in their 3D geometries. We discuss these results in the context of explosion models and the properties of dust in the ejecta.  The paper on arXiv.

Page responsible:Jonas Strandberg
Belongs to: Particle and astroparticle physics
Last changed: Sep 20, 2016