SN 1988Z: spectro-photometric catalogue and energy estimates

We present a spectro-photometric catalogue of the evolution of supernova 19 88Z, which combines new and published observations in the radio, optical an d X-ray bands, with the aim of offering a comprehensive view of the evoluti on of this object and deriving the total energy radiated since its discover y, The major contribution to the total radiated energy comes at optical to X-ray frequencies, with a total emission of at least 2x10(51) erg (for H-0 = 50 km s(-1) Mpc(-1)) in 8.5 yr. A model-dependent extrapolation of this v alue indicates that the total radiated energy may be as high as 10(52) erg. 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 in teraction with a dense circumstellar medium of nearly constant density. In this sense, 1988Z is not a supernova but a young and compact supernova remn ant.