Evolution of supernova 1987A

3D Model

The model shows the time evolution of supernova 1987A from the outburst occurred on February 23, 1987 to the full-fledged remnant (the outcome of the supernova). A more detailed static representation of the model when the remnant was 30 years old (2017) is available here. The magnetohydrodynamic simulation covers 40 years of evolution, thus providing predictions on the evolution of the remnant in the near future, until 2027. The bright ring visible after 15 years of evolution is due to the interaction of the blast wave with a dense disk of circumstellar material accumulated around the progenitor blue supergiant in its lifetime before collapse.

MHD simulation performed with the PLUTO code.

Reference: Orlando et al. 2019, A&A 622, id.A73.

Credits: INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Palermo.