The Messenger Astronomical Science

Supernova 1987A at 30

Authors
  • Spyromilio, Jason [European Southern Observatory (ESO)]
  • Leibundgut, Bruno [European Southern Observatory (ESO)]
  • Fransson, Claes [Department of Astronomy, The Oskar Klein Centre, Stockholm University, Sweden]
  • Larsson, Josefin [Department of Astronomy, The Oskar Klein Centre, Stockholm University, Sweden]
  • Migotto, Katia [Department of Astronomy, The Oskar Klein Centre, Stockholm University, Sweden]
  • Girard, Julien [European Southern Observatory (ESO)]

Section
Astronomical Science
Abstract

Thirty years on, SN 1987A continues to develop and, over the last decade in particular, has: revealed the presence of a large centrally concentrated reservoir of dust; shown the presence of molecular species within the ejecta; expanded such that the ejecta structure is angularly resolved; begun the destruction of the circumstellar ring and transitioned to being dominated by energy sources external to the ejecta. We are participating in a live experiment in the creation of a supernova remnant and here the recent progress is briefly overviewed. Exciting developments can be expected as the ejecta and the reverse shock continue their interaction, the X-rays penetrate into the cold molecular core and we observe the return of the material into the interstellar medium. We anticipate that the nature of the remnant of the leptonisation event in the centre will also be revealed.


Dates
Created: 2017-03-01/2017-03-31
Length
5 pages; 2.28 MB

Cite this article:

Spyromilio, J., Leibundgut, B., Fransson, C., Larsson, J., Migotto, K., Girard, J.; Supernova 1987A at 30. The Messenger 167 (March 2017): 26–30. https://doi.org/10.18727/0722-6691/5005