Supernova 1987A: The birth of a supernova remnant

Today, we are observing SN1987A approximately 16 years after its initial outburst. During the first 10 years, the radiation from SN1987A was dominated by energy deposited in the interior by the decay of newly synthesized radioisotopes. From observations at many wavelengths, we learned a great deal about the dynamics and thermodynamics of the expanding debris. With the Hubble Space Telescope, we have also observed a remarkable system of three circumstellar rings, the origin of which remains a mystery. About 7 years ago, the blast wave from the supernova began to strike the inner circumstellar ring, resulting in the appearance of a rapidly brightening "hot spot" on the ring. Today, many more hot spots have appeared, and the radio, infrared, optical, and X-ray radiation from of the supernova is now dominated by the impact of the supernova debris with its circumstellar matter. This impact marks the birth of a supernova, remnant, SNR.1987A. Here, I discuss what we know about the circumstellar matter and rings, and what we are learning from observations of the interaction of the supernova debris with the circumstellar matter. Finally, I will hazard a few guesses about what we can expect to learn from SNR1987A during the next decade or so.