SN 1987A - A linear polarimetric study

Abstract

Multicolor linear polarimetric observations of SN 1987A have been obtained between February 28 and April 29, 1987. The intrinsic polarization was shown to decrease at a constant position angle of 27 deg during the first month after the explosion, and 30 days after the explosion the polarization began to grown in the V, R, and I filters at a different position angle. A model to interpret this behavior is proposed. Results are presented for the expansion of the outer layers of the SN and the evolution of the photospheric density. 28 references.