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 discovery .
The major contribution to the total radiated energy comes at optical to X-ray frequencies , with a total emission of at least 2 \times 10 ^ { 51 } erg ( for H _ { \mbox { \scriptsize 0 } } = 50 km s ^ { -1 } Mpc ^ { -1 } ) in 8.5 years .
A model-dependent extrapolation of this value 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 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 .