Spitzer Space Telescope - General Observer Proposal #30067


THE INFRARED EVOLUTION OF SN1987A

Principal Investigator: Eli  Dwek
           Institution: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Co-Investigators: 
Richard Arendt, SSAI/NASA GSFC                                        
Patrice Bouchet, Observatoire de Paris                                
David Burrows, Pennsylvania State University                          
Peter Challis, Harvard-Smithsonian CfA                                
John Danziger, Osservatorio Astronomico de Trieste                    
James De Buizer, Gemini Observatory                                   
Robert Gehrz, University of Minnesota                                 
Robert Kirshner, Harvard-Smithsonian CfA                              
Richard McCray, University of Colorado                                
Sangwook Park, Pennsylvania State University                          
Elisha Polomski, University of Minnesota                              
Charles Woodward, University of Minnesota                             

Science Category: local group galaxies 
 Observing Modes: IracMap IrsMap IrsStare MipsPhot MipsSed 
  Hours Approved: 19.5 

Abstract:
We will use the SPITZER to continue the ongoing monitoring of SN1987A,
the youngest supernova remnant that is undergoing noticable
evolutionary changes during the lifetime of the Great Observatories.
At infrared wavelengths SN1987A provides a unique complimentary view
of the interaction of the SN blast wave with the equatorial ring (ER).
Dust in theÊ ERÊ is being swept up by the expanding shock and
collisionally heated by the X-ray emitting gas observed with CHANDRA,
giving rise to IR emission that reveals the composition and amount of
dust that formed in the outflow of the presupernova star.  The IR
observations also provide a unique tool for studying physical
processes - the collisional heating and destruction of dust -Ê in
dusty X-ray emitting plasmas.  Parts of the blast wave has penetrated
the denser regions of the ER, creating the "hotspots" observed with
HUBBLE.  IR line emission from these regions provide important
information on the physical conditions and theÊelemental and dust
composition in these cooling shocks.  Additionally, the ejecta of the
SN explosion contains dust that was observed to have formed about 530
days after the explosion.  Its imminent interaction with the ring will
heat up this dust, which will be observable with SPITZER.  In addition
to providing useful information on SN1987A and its environment, the
proposed observations will address key global issues regarding the
origin and evolution of dust in the universe:  how much dust is formed
in SN ejecta and in quiescent stellar outflows, and how efficiently
grains are destroyed by interstellar shock waves.