Abstract
We summarize the study of the bolometric evolution of SN 1987 A over the past six years. Over the first 800 days after the explosion, the observed bolometric curve agrees well with the model of heating by radioactive decay of radioactive elements synthesized during the explosion, but the observed curve after Day 900 falls more slowly than the model predictions. This suggests some new source of energy at work. We think that the new source may be accretion by the neutron star generated at the explosion, of matter in the ejected shell that moved at sub-escape speeds. This model can well account for the slowing down in the decline of the bolometric curve, and the bump between Day 900 and Day 1200. It serves also as indirect evidence for the existence of the central neutron star.
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