Do SN 1987A data yield the three neutrino masses?

Abstract

Currently only upper limits are known for the neutrino masses based on cosmological constraints and direct neutrino mass experiments. This review explores the possibility that SN 1987A might provide actual values for the three neutrino masses and not just upper limits, a possibility first suggested by Ramanath Cowsik in 1988. Cowsik&#39;s result depends on the neutrino emissions from SN 1987A being near-simultaneous, i.e., within a time interval $Δt<1 s.$ Having such a brief burst, however, is contradicted by virtually all supernova neutrino emission models that include a $Δt>10 s$ cooling phase. Here it is explained why those neutrino emission models may be mistaken, and why the three neutrino masses suggested by the SN 1987A data might be correct even though they are larger than the upper limits implied from cosmology and direct mass experiments.