1999MNRAS.309..343A

We present a spectro-photometric catalogue of the evolution of supernova 1988Z, which combines new and published observations in the radio, optical and X-ray bands, with the aim of offering a comprehensive view of the evolution of this object and deriving the total energy radiated since its discovery. The major contribution to the total radiated energy comes at optical to X-ray frequencies, with a total emission of at least 2x10⁵¹erg (for H₀=50km.s^–1Mpc^–1) in 8.5yr. A model-dependent extrapolation of this value indicates that the total radiated energy may be as high as 10⁵²erg. The high value of the radiated energy supports a scenario in which most of the kinetic energy of the ejecta is thermalized and radiated in a short interaction with a dense circumstellar medium of nearly constant density. In this sense, 1988Z is not a supernova but a young and compact supernova remnant.