Supernova 1987A: 18 months later

Abstract

An overview of the significance for physics of the closest visual supernova in almost 400 years is presented. The supernova occurred in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), approx. 50 kpc away. The supernova star was a massive star of approx. 15 to 20 solar mass. Observations now show that it was once a red giant but lost its outer envelope. The lower than standard luminosity and higher observed velocities are a natural consequence of the pre-supernova star being a blue rather than a red (supergiant). Of particular importance to physicsts is the detection of neutrinos from the event by detectors in the United States and Japan. Not only did this establish extra-solar system neutrino astronomy, but it also constrained the properties of neutrino. It is shown that the well established Kamioka-IMB neutrino burst experimentally implies an event with about 2 to 4 x 10 to the 53rd power ergs emitted in neutrinos and a temperature, T sub nu e, of between 4 and 4.5 MeV. This event is in excellent agreement with what one would expect from the gravitational core collapse of a massive star. The anticipated frequency of collapse events in our Galaxy is discussed.