Chandra Observes the End of an Era SN 1987A

TL;DR

Chandra's 16-year observations of SN 1987A reveal the supernova remnant's evolution as it leaves the dense equatorial ring, with changes in brightness, expansion, and asymmetry indicating a significant phase transition.

Contribution

This study provides the longest continuous X-ray monitoring of SN 1987A, offering new insights into its late-stage evolution and interaction with surrounding material.

Findings

X-ray light curve in 0.5-2 keV remains constant since 9500 days.

3-8 keV light curve continues increasing beyond 10000 days.

The supernova remnant is beginning to exit the dense equatorial ring.

Abstract

Updated imaging and photometric results from Chandra observations of SN 1987A, covering the last 16 years, are presented. We find that the 0.5-2 keV light curve has remained constant at ~8x10^-12 erg s^-1 cm^-2 since 9500 days, with the 3-8 keV light curve continuing to increase until at least 10000 days. The expansion rate of the ring is found to be energy dependent, such that after day 6000 the ring expands faster in the 2-10 keV band than it does at energies <2 keV. Images show a reversal of the east-west asymmetry between 7000 and 8000 days after the explosion. The latest images suggest the southeastern side of the equatorial ring is beginning to fade. Consistent with the latest optical and infrared results, our Chandra analysis indicates the blast wave is now leaving the dense equatorial ring, which marks the beginning of a major change in the evolutionary phase of the supernova remnant 1987A.