The energy sources powering the late-time bolometric evolution of SN 1987A Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • New optical and infrared data show that a third radioactive nuclide, 57Co, is now powering the supernova nebula. The best fit to the late-time bolometric light curve is with 0.01 M57Co (5 times the amount expected based on the solar ratio of 57Fe/56Fe). However, if recent theoretical upper limits on the expected production of 57Co and 44Ti are correct, then either an additional energy input is needed or one of the fundamental assumptions used in the modeling of the data is in error. If a pulsar is present in the center of SN 1987A, it can be providing no more than 8 1036 ergs s-1 on day 1500.

published proceedings

  • The Astrophysical Journal

author list (cited authors)

  • Suntzeff, N. B., Phillips, M. M., Elias, J. H., Walker, A. R., & Depoy, D. L.

citation count

  • 59

complete list of authors

  • Suntzeff, Nicholas B||Phillips, MM||Elias, JH||Walker, AR||Depoy, DL

publication date

  • January 1992