Distance to SN 1987A and the LMC

1999 ◽  
Vol 190 ◽  
pp. 549-554
Author(s):  
Nino Panagia
Keyword(s):  
Angular Size ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Distance Modulus ◽  
Absolute Size ◽  
Sn 1987A

Using the new reductions of the IUE light curves by Sonneborn et al. (1997) and an extensive set of HST images of SN 1987A we have repeated and improved Panagia et al. (1991) analysis to obtain a better determination of the distance to the supernova. In this way we have derived an absolute size of the ringRabs= (6.23 ± 0.08) x 1017cm and an angular sizeR″ = 808 ± 17 mas, which give a distance to the supernovad(SN1987A) = 51.4 ± 1.2 kpc and a distance modulusm–M(SN1987A) = 18.55 ± 0.05. Allowing for a displacement of SN 1987A position relative to the LMC center, the distance to the barycenter of the Large Magellanic Cloud is also estimated to bed(LMC) = 52.0±1.3 kpc, which corresponds to a distance modulus ofm–M(LMC) = 18.58±0.05.

scholarly journals Distance to SN 1987A and the LMC

1999 ◽  
Vol 190 ◽  
pp. 549-554
Author(s):  
Nino Panagia
Keyword(s):  
Angular Size ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Distance Modulus ◽  
Absolute Size ◽  
Sn 1987A

Using the new reductions of the IUE light curves by Sonneborn et al. (1997) and an extensive set of HST images of SN 1987A we have repeated and improved Panagia et al. (1991) analysis to obtain a better determination of the distance to the supernova. In this way we have derived an absolute size of the ring Rabs = (6.23 ± 0.08) x 1017 cm and an angular size R″ = 808 ± 17 mas, which give a distance to the supernova d(SN1987A) = 51.4 ± 1.2 kpc and a distance modulus m–M(SN1987A) = 18.55 ± 0.05. Allowing for a displacement of SN 1987A position relative to the LMC center, the distance to the barycenter of the Large Magellanic Cloud is also estimated to be d(LMC) = 52.0±1.3 kpc, which corresponds to a distance modulus of m–M(LMC) = 18.58±0.05.

scholarly journals A Geometric Determination of the Distance to SN 1987A and the LMC

2005 ◽  
Vol 192 ◽  
pp. 585-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nino Panagia
Keyword(s):  
Angular Size ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Distance Modulus ◽  
Absolute Size ◽  
Sn 1987A ◽  
Original Analysis

SummaryUsing the definitive reductions of the IUE light curves by [15] and an extensive set of HST images of SN 1987A we have repeated and improved our original analysis [8, 9] to derive a better determination of the distance to the supernova. In this way we have obtained an absolute size of the ring Rabs = (6.23 ± 0.08) × 1017 cm and an angular size R″ = 808 ± 17 mas, which give a distance to the supernova d(SN1987A) = 51.4±1.2 kpc and a distance modulus (m − M)sN1987A = 18.55 ± 0.05. Allowing for a displacement of SN 1987A position relative to the LMC center, the distance to the barycenter of the Large Magellanic Cloud is also estimated to be d(LMC) = 51.7±1.3 kpc, which corresponds to a distance modulus of (m − M)LMC = 18.56 ± 0.05.

scholarly journals FOC Observations of SN 1987A

1992 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 471-474
Author(s):  
N. Panagia
Keyword(s):  
Narrow Band ◽  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Angular Size ◽  
Variable Stars ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Absolute Size ◽  
Sn 1987A ◽  
Elliptical Ring

AbstractWe present and discuss the first images of SN 1987A obtained on day 1278 with the FOC on board the Hubble Space Telescope. The supernova is well detected and resolved spatially in the four observed bands. The UV luminosity of SN 1987A is found to be comparable to that emitted in the visible and infrared spectrum. Narrow-band [OUI] imaging reveals that the circumstellar nebula surrounding SN 1987A has the shape of a perfectly elliptical ring, implying an inclination of 43° ±3°. A comparison of the ring angular size with its absolute size derived from an analysis of the light curves of narrow UV lines measured with IUE, gives an accurate determination of the distance to SN 1987A, i.e. d(1987A) = 51.2±3.1 kpc. Allowing for the relative position of SN 1987A within the LMC, the distance to the center of the LMC turns out to be 50.1 ± 3.1 kpc. This value agrees very well with the determinations obtained from light curve analyses of variable stars.

scholarly journals Light Curves and Metal Abundances of RR Lyrae Variables in the Bar of the Large Magellanic Cloud

2000 ◽  
Vol 176 ◽  
pp. 172-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Clementini ◽  
A. Bragaglia ◽  
L. Di Fabrizio ◽  
E. Carretta ◽  
R. G. Gratton
Keyword(s):  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Photometric System ◽  
Rr Lyrae Stars ◽  
Rr Lyrae ◽  
Visual Magnitude ◽  
Metal Abundance ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Lyrae Stars

AbstractThe Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is widely considered a corner-stone of the astronomical distance scale. However, a difference of 0.2−0.3 mag exists in its distance as predicted by the short and long distance scales. Distances to the LMC from Population II objects are founded on the RR Lyrae variables. We have undertaken an observational campaign devoted to the definition of the average apparent luminosity, and to the study of the mass–metallicity relation for RR Lyrae stars in the bar of the LMC. These are compared with analogous quantities for cluster RR Lyrae stars. The purpose is to see whether an intrinsic difference in luminosity, possibly due to a difference in mass, might exist between field and cluster RR Lyrae stars, which could be responsible for the well-known dichotomy between short and long distance scales. Preliminary results are presented on the V and B − V light curves, the average apparent visual magnitude, and the pulsational properties of 102 RR Lyrae stars in the bar of the LMC, observed at ESO in January 1999. The photometric data are accurately tied to the Johnson photometric system. Comparison is presented with the photometry of RR Lyrae stars in the bar of the LMC obtained by the MACHO collaboration (Alcock et al. 1996). Our sample includes 9 double-mode RR Lyrae stars selected from Alcock et al. (1997) for which an estimate of the metal abundance from the ΔS method is presented.

scholarly journals Standard Galactic field RR Lyrae II: a Gaia DR2 calibration of the period–Wesenheit–metallicity relation

2019 ◽  
Vol 490 (3) ◽  
pp. 4254-4270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jillian R Neeley ◽  
Massimo Marengo ◽  
Wendy L Freedman ◽  
Barry F Madore ◽  
Rachael L Beaton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Distance Modulus ◽  
Rr Lyrae Stars ◽  
Galactic Field ◽  
Rr Lyrae ◽  
Lyrae Stars ◽  
Distance Indicators ◽  
Made In

ABSTRACT RR Lyrae stars have long been popular standard candles, but significant advances in methodology and technology have been made in recent years to increase their precision as distance indicators. We present multiwavelength (optical UBVRcIc and Gaia G, BP, RP; near-infrared JHKs; mid-infrared [3.6], [4.5]) period–luminosity–metallicity (PLZ), period–Wesenheit–metallicity (PWZ) relations, calibrated using photometry obtained from the Carnegie RR Lyrae Program and parallaxes from the Gaia second data release for 55 Galactic field RR Lyrae stars. The metallicity slope, which has long been predicted by theoretical relations, can now be measured in all passbands. The scatter in the PLZ relations is on the order of 0.2 mag, and is still dominated by uncertainties in the parallaxes. As a consistency check of our PLZ relations, we also measure the distance modulus to the globular cluster M4, the Large Magellanic Cloud and the Small Magellanic Cloud, and our results are in excellent agreement with estimates from previous studies.

scholarly journals A photometric and spectroscopic study of R Coronae Borealis stars in the LMC

1991 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
pp. 351-352
Author(s):  
W. A. Lawson ◽  
P. L. Cottrell ◽  
K. R. Pollard
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Spectroscopic Study ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Photometric Observations ◽  
R Coronae Borealis Stars

Over the last several years we have obtained photometric observations of the four suspected (W Men, HV 5637, HV 12671, HV 12842) R Coronae Borealis (RCB) stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Fourier analyses of the light curves has revealed some periodicity in HV 12842, where there appear to be at least two closely spaced periods of 55 and 60 d. High resolution spectra of HV 12842, obtained with the Ango-Australian Telescope (AAT), indicate that it has similar atmospheric properties to a number of warmer galactic RCB and hydrogen-deficient Carbon (HdC) stars, e.g. R CrB, RY Sgr and XX Cam.

scholarly journals The distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud from first overtone RR Lyrae variables

2004 ◽  
Vol 193 ◽  
pp. 180-183
Author(s):  
A.V. Muzzin ◽  
C.M. Clement ◽  
D.R. Alves ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fourier Coefficients ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Log P ◽  
Distance Modulus ◽  
P Values ◽  
Rr Lyrae ◽  
Visual Distance ◽  
Bona Fide ◽  
Absolute Magnitudes

AbstractFourier coefficients have been derived for the V and R light curves of 330 bona fide RR Lyrae first-overtone (RR1) pulsators in 16 MACHO fields near the bar of the LMC. We use the Fourier phase parameter ɸ31 and log P values to select a subsample of these stars which are similar to the RR1s in the Galactic globular cluster M5. Assuming that the M5-like stars in the LMC have absolute magnitudes comparable to the HB stars in M5, we use independent studies to derive their mean absolute V magnitude and compute a visual distance modulus of μLMC = 18.43 ± 0.06 (statistical) ±0.16 (systematic). By selecting stars on the basis of their light curve parameters, we are able to derive a distance modulus that does not depend on the somewhat poorly determined Mv – [Fe/H] relation for RR Lyr stars.

scholarly journals Studies of the large Magellanic Cloud using optical interstellar emission lines

1991 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
pp. 421-427
Author(s):  
J. Meaburn
Keyword(s):  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Emission Lines ◽  
Optical Observations ◽  
Sn 1987A ◽  
30 Doradus

Optical observations have been made of the halo of 30 Doradus, in the vicinity of SN 1987A and of giant shells in the LMC.

scholarly journals A Review of the Distance and Structure of the Large Magellanic Cloud

2005 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 448-449
Author(s):  
David R. Alves
Keyword(s):  
Excellent Agreement ◽  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Total Error ◽  
Hubble Constant ◽  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe ◽  
Distance Modulus ◽  
Standard Distance ◽  
Considerable Support

The debate about the distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) has an epic history full of controversial and dramatic claims (i.e., see review by Walker 2003), and yet in recent years a standard distance modulus has emerged due primarily to the completion of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Key Project to measure the Hubble constant (Preedman et al. 2001). The adopted standard distance modulus,µ0 = 18.5±0.1 mag, yields H0 = 71±10 km s−1 Mpc−1 (total error) in excellent agreement with that derived from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe: H0 72±5 km s−1 Mpc−1 (Spergel et al. 2003), which lends considerable support to its accuracy.

Interstellar Abundances in the Magellanic Clouds. II. The Line of Sight to SN 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud

1999 ◽  
Vol 512 (2) ◽  
pp. 636-671 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Welty ◽  
P. C. Frisch ◽  
G. Sonneborn ◽  
D. G. York
Keyword(s):  
Large Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Cloud ◽  
Magellanic Clouds ◽  
Line Of Sight ◽  
Sn 1987A
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