Hubble space telescope observations of the SN 1987A triple ring nebula

Christopher J. Burrows; John Krist; J. Jeff Hester; Raghvendra Sahai; John T. Trauger; Karl R. Stapelfeldt; John S. Gallagher; Gilda E. Ballester; Stefano Casertano; John T. Clarke; David Crisp; Robin W. Evans; Richard E. Griffiths; John G. Hoessel; Jon A. Holtzman; Jeremy R. Mould; Paul Scowen; Alan M. Watson; James A. Westphal

doi:10.1086/176339

Hubble space telescope observations of the SN 1987A triple ring nebula

Christopher J. Burrows, John Krist, J. Jeff Hester, Raghvendra Sahai, John T. Trauger, Karl R. Stapelfeldt, John S. Gallagher, Gilda E. Ballester, Stefano Casertano, John T. Clarke, David Crisp, Robin W. Evans, Richard E. Griffiths, John G. Hoessel, Jon A. Holtzman, Jeremy R. Mould, Paul Scowen, Alan M. Watson, James A. Westphal

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149 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have observed SN 1987A with the optically corrected WFPC2 on the Hubble Space Telescope both in emission lines and in the UV and optical continuum. The previously observed outer nebular structure is shown to be part of two closed unresolved loops. These loops were flash-ionized by the supernova itself. They are not caused by limb brightening of an hourglass shell produced by the interaction of the winds from the progenitor. The inner ring is seen to be extended and may be connected to the new outer rings by sheets of material. However, beyond the outer rings, emission is not seen, implying a very low density (n < 10) for the outer hourglass shell if it exists. The new outer rings are unresolved, and this together with their observed brightness implies a density n > 1000. This density contrast of at least 100 is difficult to reconcile with the conventional picture of the progenitor evolution. Two models for the rings are presented, but each is deficient in important respects. A proper understanding of this system will require new physical insight.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	680-684
Number of pages	5
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	452
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/176339
State	Published - Oct 20 1995

Keywords

ISM: bubbles
ISM: jets and outflows
Shock waves
Stars: mass loss
Supernovae: individual (SN 1987A)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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10.1086/176339

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Burrows, C. J., Krist, J., Hester, J. J., Sahai, R., Trauger, J. T., Stapelfeldt, K. R., Gallagher, J. S., Ballester, G. E., Casertano, S., Clarke, J. T., Crisp, D., Evans, R. W., Griffiths, R. E., Hoessel, J. G., Holtzman, J. A., Mould, J. R., Scowen, P., Watson, A. M., & Westphal, J. A. (1995). Hubble space telescope observations of the SN 1987A triple ring nebula. Astrophysical Journal, 452(2), 680-684. https://doi.org/10.1086/176339

Burrows, CJ, Krist, J, Hester, JJ, Sahai, R, Trauger, JT, Stapelfeldt, KR, Gallagher, JS, Ballester, GE, Casertano, S, Clarke, JT, Crisp, D, Evans, RW, Griffiths, RE, Hoessel, JG, Holtzman, JA, Mould, JR, Scowen, P, Watson, AM & Westphal, JA 1995, 'Hubble space telescope observations of the SN 1987A triple ring nebula', Astrophysical Journal, vol. 452, no. 2, pp. 680-684. https://doi.org/10.1086/176339

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title = "Hubble space telescope observations of the SN 1987A triple ring nebula",

abstract = "We have observed SN 1987A with the optically corrected WFPC2 on the Hubble Space Telescope both in emission lines and in the UV and optical continuum. The previously observed outer nebular structure is shown to be part of two closed unresolved loops. These loops were flash-ionized by the supernova itself. They are not caused by limb brightening of an hourglass shell produced by the interaction of the winds from the progenitor. The inner ring is seen to be extended and may be connected to the new outer rings by sheets of material. However, beyond the outer rings, emission is not seen, implying a very low density (n < 10) for the outer hourglass shell if it exists. The new outer rings are unresolved, and this together with their observed brightness implies a density n > 1000. This density contrast of at least 100 is difficult to reconcile with the conventional picture of the progenitor evolution. Two models for the rings are presented, but each is deficient in important respects. A proper understanding of this system will require new physical insight.",

keywords = "ISM: bubbles, ISM: jets and outflows, Shock waves, Stars: mass loss, Supernovae: individual (SN 1987A)",

author = "Burrows, {Christopher J.} and John Krist and Hester, {J. Jeff} and Raghvendra Sahai and Trauger, {John T.} and Stapelfeldt, {Karl R.} and Gallagher, {John S.} and Ballester, {Gilda E.} and Stefano Casertano and Clarke, {John T.} and David Crisp and Evans, {Robin W.} and Griffiths, {Richard E.} and Hoessel, {John G.} and Holtzman, {Jon A.} and Mould, {Jeremy R.} and Paul Scowen and Watson, {Alan M.} and Westphal, {James A.}",

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doi = "10.1086/176339",

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AU - Burrows, Christopher J.

AU - Krist, John

AU - Hester, J. Jeff

AU - Sahai, Raghvendra

AU - Trauger, John T.

AU - Stapelfeldt, Karl R.

AU - Gallagher, John S.

AU - Ballester, Gilda E.

AU - Casertano, Stefano

AU - Clarke, John T.

AU - Crisp, David

AU - Evans, Robin W.

AU - Griffiths, Richard E.

AU - Hoessel, John G.

AU - Holtzman, Jon A.

AU - Mould, Jeremy R.

AU - Scowen, Paul

AU - Watson, Alan M.

AU - Westphal, James A.

PY - 1995/10/20

Y1 - 1995/10/20

N2 - We have observed SN 1987A with the optically corrected WFPC2 on the Hubble Space Telescope both in emission lines and in the UV and optical continuum. The previously observed outer nebular structure is shown to be part of two closed unresolved loops. These loops were flash-ionized by the supernova itself. They are not caused by limb brightening of an hourglass shell produced by the interaction of the winds from the progenitor. The inner ring is seen to be extended and may be connected to the new outer rings by sheets of material. However, beyond the outer rings, emission is not seen, implying a very low density (n < 10) for the outer hourglass shell if it exists. The new outer rings are unresolved, and this together with their observed brightness implies a density n > 1000. This density contrast of at least 100 is difficult to reconcile with the conventional picture of the progenitor evolution. Two models for the rings are presented, but each is deficient in important respects. A proper understanding of this system will require new physical insight.

AB - We have observed SN 1987A with the optically corrected WFPC2 on the Hubble Space Telescope both in emission lines and in the UV and optical continuum. The previously observed outer nebular structure is shown to be part of two closed unresolved loops. These loops were flash-ionized by the supernova itself. They are not caused by limb brightening of an hourglass shell produced by the interaction of the winds from the progenitor. The inner ring is seen to be extended and may be connected to the new outer rings by sheets of material. However, beyond the outer rings, emission is not seen, implying a very low density (n < 10) for the outer hourglass shell if it exists. The new outer rings are unresolved, and this together with their observed brightness implies a density n > 1000. This density contrast of at least 100 is difficult to reconcile with the conventional picture of the progenitor evolution. Two models for the rings are presented, but each is deficient in important respects. A proper understanding of this system will require new physical insight.

KW - ISM: bubbles

KW - ISM: jets and outflows

KW - Shock waves

KW - Stars: mass loss

KW - Supernovae: individual (SN 1987A)

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Hubble space telescope observations of the SN 1987A triple ring nebula

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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