Three-dimensional distribution of ejecta in Supernova 1987A at 10 000 days

Abstract

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] λλ7292, 7324, [O I] λλ6300, 6364 and Mg II λλ9218, 9244, as well as new maps for [Si I]+[Fe II] 1.644 μm and He I 2.058 μm. 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 44Ti. 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 μm, 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.

Accepted for publication in ApJ

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Cited by in corpus (21)

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• High angular resolution ALMA images of dust and molecules in the SN 1987A ejecta
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• Matter Mixing in Aspherical Core-collapse Supernovae: Three-dimensional Simulations with Single Star and Binary Merger Progenitor Models for SN 1987A
• Very Deep Inside the SN 1987A Core Ejecta: Molecular Structures Seen in 3D
• Blasts from the Past: Supernova Shock Breakouts among X-Ray Transients in the XMM-Newton Archive
• Supernova ejecta interacting with a circumstellar disk. I. two-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamic simulations
• The matter beyond the ring: the recent evolution of SN 1987A observed by the Hubble Space Telescope
• JWST NIRSpec observations of Supernova 1987A -- from the inner ejecta to the reverse shock
• Evidence for magnetar formation in broad-lined type Ic supernovae 1998bw and 2002ap
• The Evolution of Dust Opacity in Core Collapse Supernovae and the Rapid Formation of Dust in Their Ejecta
• Eruption of the Envelope of Massive Stars by Energy Injection with Finite Duration
• Latest Evolution of the X-Ray Remnant of SN 1987A: Beyond the Inner Ring
• A 3D view of molecular hydrogen in Supernova 1987A
• The morphology of the ejecta of SN 1987A at 31 years from 1150 to 10000 Å
• The Exceptional X-ray Evolution of SN1996cr in High Resolution
• Mid-infrared imaging of Supernova 1987A
• Tracing the ejecta structure of SN 1987A: Insights and diagnostics from 3D MHD simulations
• Investigating Time Evolution of Thermal Emission from the Putative Neutron Star in SN 1987A for 50+ Years
• Transition Elements in Supernova Presolar Grains: Condensation vs. Implantation
• Measuring the initial mass of 44Ti in SN 1987A through the 44Sc emission line