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
About the Image
| Id: | 02_sn-1987a_cc |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 12 March 2010, 18:51 |
| Size: | 3087 x 2908 px |
About the Object
| Name: | SN 1987A |
| Type: | • Local Universe : Star : Evolutionary Stage : Supernova • X - Nebulae • X - Stars |
| Distance: | 170000 light years |
Colours & filters
| Band | Telescope |
| New Technology Telescope |
Images
Zoomable
Wallpapers
