Limits on O VI Emission from the Shocked Circumstellar Gas of SN 1987A

• The Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) was used to search for emission from the shock interaction of the ejecta of SN 1987A with its circumstellar material. FUSE observations of SN 1987A between 2000 and 2007 did not detect broad O VI emission. However, O VI emission was detected in 2000-2001 with a narrow line width (FWHM<35 km s-1) and a heliocentric radial velocity of +280 km s-1. This places the emitting gas at rest relative to the supernova and is interpreted as emission from unshocked circumstellar gas. This narrow emission had disappeared in 2007 (and possibly earlier) as a result of the advancing shock overtaking the H II region that was flash ionized by the supernova explosion in 1987.

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supernovae

ultraviolet spectroscopy

circumstellar matter

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