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Formation of the three-ring structure around supernova 1987A
1Communications Research Laboratory, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8795, Japan. tanaka@crl.go.jp
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|April 16, 2002
Summary
A magnetohydrodynamic simulation reproduced supernova 1987A's three-ring structure by modeling stellar wind interactions. This wind-wind interaction between red supergiant and blue supergiant phases explains the observed cosmic rings.
Area of Science:
- Astrophysics
- Computational fluid dynamics
- Plasma physics
Background:
- Supernova (SN) 1987A exhibits a distinct three-ring structure in its circumstellar medium.
- The transition from red supergiant (RSG) to blue supergiant (BSG) phase before supernova explosion involves complex stellar wind dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reproduce the observed three-ring structure of SN 1987A using magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations.
- To investigate the role of anisotropic stellar winds and magnetic fields in shaping circumstellar structures.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulation of magnetohydrodynamics.
- Modeling anisotropic density and velocity distributions of stellar winds.
- Incorporating effects of toroidal magnetic fields and coronal holes.
Main Results:
- Successfully reproduced the three-ring structure observed by the Hubble Space Telescope.
- The simulation matched the observed size and position of the rings.
- Magnetic pinch effect and amplified density asymmetry were identified as key mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms that wind-wind interaction during the RSG-BSG transition can generate the observed ring structures.
- Anisotropic stellar winds, influenced by magnetic fields, are crucial for forming these features.
- MHD simulations provide a powerful tool for understanding supernova remnant evolution.
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