New Observational Constraints on the Mass-Loss History of SN 1987A

Details New Observational Constraints on the Mass-Loss History of SN 1987A New Observational Constraints on the Mass-Loss History of SN 1987A

Jul 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004aspc..313..547s&link_type=abstract

Asymmetrical Planetary Nebulae III: Winds, Structure and the Thunderbird, Proceedings of the conference held 28 July - 1 August

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

1

Scientific paper

Light echoes are an extremely powerful tool for precision three-dimensional mapping of dust in circumstellar (CSE) and interstellar (ISE) environments. We present light echoes from 9 years of imaging of SN 1987A, which reveal the fossil record of the progenitor's mass-loss history. The CSE is a richly-structured bipolar nebula, with an outer, double-lobed ``peanut'' extending 28 ly along the poles and 11 ly near the equator, but pinched to 6 ly at the waist, while interior, a cylindrical hourglass, 1 ly in radius and 4 ly long, connects to the peanut by a thick equatorial disk. Echo fluxes suggest that between the hourglass and bipolar lobes: the gas density drops from 1-3 cm-3 to >0.03 cm-3; the maximum dust-grain size increases from ˜0.2 micron to 2 micron; and the silicate:carbonaceous dust ratio decreases. The nebulae have a total mass of ˜1.7msun, suggesting a red-supergiant mass loss of 5×10-6 msunyr.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

New Observational Constraints on the Mass-Loss History of SN 1987A does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with New Observational Constraints on the Mass-Loss History of SN 1987A, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and New Observational Constraints on the Mass-Loss History of SN 1987A will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1076685