Observations of Sk-69 deg 203 and the interstellar extinction towards SN 1987A

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Astronomical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/115432· OSTI ID:6690992

Fitzpatrick, E L; Walborn, N R ^[1]

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1. Princeton Univ. Observatory, NJ (USA) Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, MD (USA)

Optical and UV spectroscopic observations of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) star Sk-69 deg 203 are discussed. The optical data reveal Sk-69 deg 203 to be a BO.7 Ia supergiant with a moderate nitrogen enhancement, and its UV spectrum is consistent with this classification. UV interstellar extinction curves were constructed for the star using, as flux standards, two lightly reddened LMS supergiants, which bracket Sk-69 deg 203's spectral type. The resultant extinction curves are consistent with the extinction law derived previously for the 30 Doradus region, and the results for Sk-69 deg 203 suggest that the general 30 Doradus extinction law is appropriate for dereddening the observed fluxes of SN 1987A. Published H I 21 observations place SN 1987A in a region with a strong E-W gradient in the total hydrogen content. Comparison with the H I column density implied by the reddening indicates that the supernova is imbedded approximately in the middle of the main H I complex. 23 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6690992
• Journal Information: Astronomical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astronomical Journal; (USA) Vol. 99; ISSN 0004-6256; ISSN ANJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABSORPTION
COSMIC DUST
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
DENSITY
DUSTS
ELEMENTS
ERUPTIVE VARIABLE STARS
GALAXIES
GIANT STARS
H1 REGIONS
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
MAGELLANIC CLOUDS
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SPACE
SPECTRA
STARS
STELLAR RADIATION
SUPERGIANT STARS
SUPERNOVAE
ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRA
VARIABLE STARS
VISIBLE SPECTRA