SN1987A and Connections to Red Novae (Abstract)

Volume 46 number 2 (2018)

Thomas Morris

153 Ovaltine Court, Ovaltine Drive, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire WD4 8GU, United Kingdom; tom.s.morris@gmail.com

Abstract

(Abstract only) I present a binary merger model for the progenitor of Supernova 1987A. A binary system initially consisting of 15 and 5 solar mass stars in a wide orbit, which merges some 20,000 years before core collapse, is able to explain many of the unexpected features of SN1987A. The common envelope phase gives rise to nova-like outbursts as primarily orbital energy is radiated from the common envelope. Such an outburst may explain the eruptions of V838 Mon, V1309 Sco, and perhaps the 1840s outburst of η Car. The 2001 to 2007 light curve of V1309 Sco observed by the OGLE project provides strong evidence for a merging binary within a common envelope.