Speaker
Dr
Josefin Larsson
(KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
Description
Due to its proximity SN 1987A offers a unique opportunity to directly observe the geometry of a stellar explosion as it unfolds. In this talk I will present recent spectral and imaging observations of SN 1987A obtained with the HST and VLT. These observations make it possible to determine the three-dimensional distribution of different elements in the ejecta. The geometry is highly asymmetric, reflecting the conditions at the time of the explosion. The observations also reveal the first detection of molecular hydrogen in a supernova, which provides important diagnostic information about the conditions in the ejecta.
Primary author
Dr
Josefin Larsson
(KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
