Photometry of SK –69°202, the Progenitor of SN 1987A

from 1896 to 1954

 

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R. M. Plotkin

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

 

and

 

Maria Mitchell Observatory, 4 Vestal Street, Nantucket, MA 02554

 

Geoffrey C. Clayton

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

 

and

 

Maria Mitchell Observatory

 

Received November 18, 2003; revised July 8, 2004

 

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.

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