Photometry of SK-69 202, the Progenitor of SN 1987A from 1896 to 1954

Volume 32 number 2 (2004)

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R. M. Plotkin

Astronomy Department, University of Washington, Box 351580, Seattle, WA 98195-1580

Geoffrey C. Clayton

Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Abstract

We investigated possible variability of the B3Ia-type progenitor of SN 1987A on a large sample of blue-sensitive photographic plates at the Harvard College Observatory. The observed plates covered the time period 1896-1954. No variability of the star was found at the 0.3-magnitude level, which is consistent with the results of previous studies on its variability. How these results fit into the context of the present understanding of the evolution of this progenitor is discussed.