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    Larsson, J.; Fransson, C.; Spyromilio, J.; Leibundgut, B.; Challis, P.; Chevalier, R. A.; France, K.; Jerkstrand, A.; Kirshner, R. P.; Lundqvist, P.; Matsuura, M.; McCray, R.; Smith, N.; Sollerman, J.; Garnavich, P.; Heng, K.; Lawrence, S.; Mattila, S.; Migotto, K.; Sonneborn, G.; Taddia, F.; Wheeler, J. C.

    Astrophysical journal/˜The œAstrophysical journal, 12/2016, Volume: 833, Issue: 2
    Journal Article

    ABSTRACT Due to its proximity, SN 1987A offers a unique opportunity to directly observe the geometry of a stellar explosion as it unfolds. Here we present spectral and imaging observations of SN 1987A obtained ∼10,000 days after the explosion with HST/STIS and VLT/SINFONI at optical and near-infrared wavelengths. These observations allow us to produce the most detailed 3D map of H to date, the first 3D maps for Ca ii , O i , and Mg ii , as well as new maps for Si i+Fe ii and He i 2.058 m. A comparison with previous observations shows that the Si i+Fe ii flux and morphology have not changed significantly during the past ten years, providing evidence that this line is powered by 44Ti. The time evolution of H shows that it is predominantly powered by X-rays from the ring, in agreement with previous findings. All lines that have sufficient signal show a similar large-scale 3D structure, with a north-south asymmetry that resembles a broken dipole. This structure correlates with early observations of asymmetries, showing that there is a global asymmetry that extends from the inner core to the outer envelope. On smaller scales, the two brightest lines, H and Si i+Fe ii 1.644 m, show substructures at the level of ∼200-1000 km s-1and clear differences in their 3D geometries. We discuss these results in the context of explosion models and the properties of dust in the ejecta.