Engineering topics

Pinto, P. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Pinto, P. A..

3 records

NASA NTRS1989

Spectral line profiles of nickel and argon in supernova 1987A - Expansion velocity and electron scattering effects

Spectra of SN 1987A showing the Ni II 6.634-micron and Ar II 6.983-micron fine-structure lines were obtained from the Kuiper Airborne Observatory in April 1988. The signal-to-noise ratio of 100 near the peaks and resolving power of 200 are sufficient to show the average velocity of expansion from the core of about 1400 km/s and to indicate the range of velocities. An asymmetry in the profiles of both lines and a redshift of the line centroids of about 440 km/s above the 280-km/s recessional velocity of the LMC can be explained in terms of scattering of the photons by electrons in the expanding hydrogen envelope of the supernova. A mass of 0.0030 solar masses of Ni II can be deduced from the line strength of the Ni II line and a mass of 0.0009 solar masses of Ar II from the Ar II line strength.

Witteborn, F. C.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Nickel, argon and cobalt in the infrared spectrum of SN1987A - The core becomes visible

Infrared spectra of supernova 1987A taken in April and November 1987 are presented, showing two distinctly different stages in the evolution of the expanding gas shell. The optical and infrared spectrum in April originated from the hydrogen envelope and show weak hydrogen lines rising above a 5,000-K photospheric continuum. The November spectrum was dominated by strong emission lines from heavy elements as well as many lines from highly excited levels of hydrogen, with peak flux levels in the lines at or slightly above the level of the continuum in April. It is concluded that the inner regions of the supernova were just becoming visible in early 1988. It is expected that these regions contain heavy elements produced by advanced nuclear burning stages in the progenitor star and in the shock wave that ejected all material external to the iron core.

Rank, D. M.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Recent results on SN 1987A

The results from observational studies of SN 1987A are reviewed. The evolution of the blue supergiant pre-supernova star is examined, including the composition and core structure of the star and nitrogen enhancements. The study of heavy elements and isotopes in the ejecta is discussed. Also, consideration is given to possible mixing of supernova composition in velocity space, the profiles of observed IR lines and their red-shifted wings, and the question of what happened to the neutron star.

Woosley, S. E.↗