The evolution of SN 1987A

H-alpha image captured by the NTT, at La Silla Observatory, on 1 December 1991, almost five years after the explosion. The image clearly shows an inner oval nebula as well as outer filaments. During the months following the explosion SN 1987A reached a remarkable maximum magnitude 3, and during the following years displayed various interesting phenomena which had never been observed before. SN 1987A is located in the South-West of the Tarantula Nebula, a huge star formation region in the Large Magellanic Cloud. This supernova is one of the most studied objects in modern astronomy and ESO telescopes have played a major role in this campaign.

More information in ESO Messenger 66, p34-35:

http://www.eso.org/sci/publications/messenger/archive/no.66-dec91/messenger-no66.pdf

Credit:

ESO

Over de afbeelding

Id:02_sn-1987a_cc
Type:Observatie
Publicatiedatum:12 maart 2010 18:51
Grootte:3087 x 2908 px

Over het object

Naam:SN 1987A
Type:Local Universe : Star : Evolutionary Stage : Supernova
Afstand:170000 lichtjaren
Categorie:Nebulae
Stars

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Kleuren & filters

BandGolflengteTelescoop
Optisch
H-alpha
656 nmNew Technology Telescope
EMMI

Exposure time: 600s