A Compact Object in SN 1987A

SN 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud, originating from a massive 15 − 20 M⊙ blue supergiant, is the best-studied modern supernova (SN). The ∼ 10 s long neutrino burst (1–3) strongly indicates that a compact object, a neutron star or black hole, was formed in the explosion (4). Despite several attempts and claims (5–8), no compelling direct evidence for this compact object has yet been found. Using Integral Field Unit (IFU) spectroscopy with JWST we here report clear evidence for a central, ionizing source, powering several strong and narrow near-IR (NIR) and mid-IR (MIR) lines of argon and sulphur, close to the center of the expanding SN ejecta. The line emission is spatially unresolved and blueshifted in velocity by ∼ 250 km s−1 relative to the rest frame of SN 1987A, and is therefore distinct from other components. Line fluxes and velocities together with modeling are consistent with ionization by a cooling neutron star or pulsar wind nebula. The argon and sulphur lines indicate an origin from explosive oxygen burning close to the center of the ejecta. Our results provide the first evidence for ionizing radiation originating from the central neutron star in SN 1987A.