The structure of the circumstellar gas of SN 1987A

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Recent observations of the rings around SN 1987A are discussed and modeled, with particular emphasis on HST observations of the inner ring by the SINS team (P.I.: R. P. Kirshner). It is found that the lowest density detected in the ring is roughly (1-2)E3 cm-3. The geometry of the inner ring is constrained by its different size in [N II] and [O III]. The implications of this on the distance to the supernova are discussed and we find an upper limit of 54.2 +/- 2.2 kpc, which is in agreement with recent RR Lyrae and Cepheid measurements. In addition, preliminary results are presented for improved calculations of the supernova breakout.
14 pages including 7 Postscript figures, paspconf.sty; To appear in proceedings ``SN 1987A: Ten Years After'' (eds. M. Phillips & N. Suntzeff)

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