The triple ring nebula around SN 1987A

Conference item

We present 3-dimensional hydrodynamical calculations to illustrate the formation of the triple ring nebula around SN 1987A. The outer rings most likely originated similar to 20 000 years before the supernova (SN) as the result of the merger of a 15 + 5 M circle dot binary after the primary had completed helium core burning. We show that the rapid merging in a rotating envelope leads to enhanced mass ejection at intermediate latitudes, while mass ejection close to the equatorial plane only occurs if the energy deposition exceeds some threshold value. The equatorial ring probably formed later as a rotationally enforced outflow during the blueward transition of the merger product. A small impulse during the merger can explain the observed asymmetry in the Northern/ Southern outer rings. Subsequently, the fast blue supergiant wind swept up the ejecta into the well-defined triple-ring structure.

Authors: Morris, T; Podsiadlowski, P

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: 1604-2004: SUPERNOVAE AS COSMOLOGICAL LIGHTHOUSES
• Volume: 342
• Pages: 194-198
• Publication date: 2005-01-01
• Event title: Conference on 1604-2004 - Supernovae as Cosmological Lighthouses
• ISBN: 1583812091
• Keywords: SN-1987A; OUTER RINGS; MODEL; STARS