The recently discovered Type II supernova in the LMC is interpreted as the explosion of a massive star having a helium core mass about six solar masses. This corresponds to a main-sequence star of approximately 20 solar masses, although mass loss might have significantly reduced this value. Theoretical UBV light curves are presented, and the expected fluxes of gamma-ray lines from Co-56, Co-57, and Ti-44 are estimated. The necessity of a compact progenitor is emphasized.
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Woosley et al. (1987) studied this question.