Abstract
The galactic halo and the intergalactic medium have been investigated by analysis of absorption features in the spectra of Seyfert galaxies, quasars, globular clusters, high-latitude stars and Magellanic Cloud supergiants1. The halo gas is thus thought to be distributed in an expanded disk not more than 10 kpc thick. But radioastronomy observations have revealed other structures, the high-velocity clouds, which are probably associated with the galactic halo. They are seen particularly in the direction of the Magellanic Clouds, where the Magellanic Stream seems to merge2–5. The extraordinary brightness of supernova 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) allowed us to obtain high-resolution spectra with high signal-to-noise ratios, sampling the galactic disk and halo, interstellar gas in the LMC, and the intervening medium. Thirty-five distinct components have been clearly identified, prob-ably located between the Galaxy and the LMC, and showing low dust content.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
York, D. G. A. Rev. Astr. Astrophys. 20, 221–248 (1982).
Verschuur, G. L. Astr. Astrophys. 22, 139–151 (1973).
Giovanelli, R. & Haynes, M. P. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 177, 525–530 (1976).
Mirabel, I. F., Cohen, R. J. & Davies, R. D. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 186, 433–451 (1979).
McGee, R. X., Newton, L. M. & Morton, D. C. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 205, 1191–1205 (1983).
Savage, B. D. & de Boer, K. S. Astrophys. J. 243, 460–484 (1981).
Songaila, A., Blades, J. C., Hu, E. M. & Cowie, L. L. Astrophys. J. 303, 198–215 (1986).
Songaila, A. Astrophys. J. 243, L19–L22 (1981).
West, K. A., Pettini, M., Penston, M. V., Blades, J. C. & Morton, D. C. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 215, 481–497 (1985).
Andreani, P., Ferlet, R. & Vidal-Madjar, A. Nature 326, 770–772 (1987).
Vidal-Madjar, A. et al. Astr. Astrophys. 177, L17–L20 (1987).
Vidal-Madjar, A., Laurent, C., Bonnet, R. M. & York, D. G. Astrophys. J. 211, 91–107 (1977).
Magain, P. Nature 329, 606–607 (1987).
Hobbs, L. M. Astrophys. J. 191, 381–393 (1974).
Siluk, R. S. & Silk, J. Astrophys. J. 192, 51–57 (1974).
Blades, J. C. & Morton, D. C. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 204, 317–329 (1983).
Morton, D. C. & Blades, J. C. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 220, 927–948 (1986).
Cohen, J. G. & Meloy, D. A. Astrophys. J. 198, 545–549 (1976).
York, D. G. et al. Astrophys. J. 255, 467–474 (1982).
Hobbs, L. M. Astrophys. J. 265, 817–823 (1983).
Meaburn, J., Marston, A. P., McGee, R. X. & Newton, L. M. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 225, 591–606 (1987).
Rohlfs, K., Kreitsehmann, J., Siegman, B. C. & Feitzinger, J. V. Astr. Astrophys. 137, 343–357 (1984).
McGee, R. X. & Newton, L. in Proc. astr. Soc. Aust. 6, 358–385 (1986) in Menzel Symp. Natl Bur. Stan. spec. Pub. 353 (ed. Gebbie, K. B.) 137 (US Government Print Office, Washington, 1971).
Withbroe, G. L. in the Menzel Symp. (NBS Spec. Pub. 353) ed. K. B. Gebbie (Washington, US Government Print Office), p. 137 (1971).
Herbig, G. H. Zeit. für Astrophys. 68, 243–277 (1951).
Seaton, M. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 111, 368–376 (1951).
de Boer, K. S. et al. Astr. Astrophys. 177, L37–L40 (1987).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Andreani, P., Vidal-Madjar, A. The intergalactic medium towards supernova 1987A. Nature 333, 432–434 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/333432a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/333432a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
