Interstellar lines in SN 1987A observed with the IUE.
Panagia, N.; de Boer, K. S.; Grewing, M.; Gry, C.; Richtler, T.; Wansteker, W.
Germany, Spain
Abstract
The SN 1987A UV-interstellar spectrum shows nine resolvable components in ionization stages ranging from neutral gas (Mg I, Si II, Fe II, etc.) to highly ionized gas (Al III, Si IV, C IV). Three components are due to gas in the Milky Way disk and halo, four are most likely due to LMC gas, two components are at velocities intermediate to those of the galaxy and the LMC. There is in the spectra taken between February 24 and March 3 no clear evidence for specific SN 1987A event related components. The interstellar spectra are quite similar to those of R136 (30 arcmin away) so that SN 1987A very likely is in the LMC indeed. However, one component is strong in metals but is not present in existing 21-cm H I profiles.