SN 1987A fades

Image in continuum light of the surroundings of supernova SN 1987A, taken by the NTT, at La Silla Observatory, almost 5 years after the explosion was detected in the Large Magellanic Cloud. SN 1987A is the spot between the two brighter stars, belonging to the same multiple system. After reaching an impressive magnitude 3 at its maximum, the supernova had already faded to magnitude 18 by the time this image was captured. SN 1987A was the first naked-eye supernova to be seen in almost four hundred years and is one of the most studied objects in modern astronomy. ESO telescopes have played a major role in this campaign.

More information in ESO Messenger 66, p35:

http://www.eso.org/sci/publications/messenger/archive/no.58-dec89/messenger-no58.pdf  

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:03_sn-1987a_cc
Type:Observation
Release date:12 March 2010, 18:51
Size:3097 x 2841 px

About the Object

Name:SN 1987A
Type:Local Universe : Star : Evolutionary Stage : Supernova
Distance:170000 light years
Constellation:Dorado
Category:Stars

Image Formats

Large JPEG
2.1 MB
Screensize JPEG
433.3 KB

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Coordinates

Position (RA):5 35 27.71
Position (Dec):-69° 16' 8.59"
Field of view:0.27 x 0.25 arcminutes
Orientation:North is 2.5° left of vertical

Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Optical
Continuum OIII
530 nmNew Technology Telescope
SUSI2

Exposure time: 600s