Supernova 1987A Ring Blazes Back to Life
[Left]
This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 image shows the glowing gas ring around supernova 1987A, as seen on February 2, 2000. The gas, excited by light from the explosion, has been fading for a decade, but parts of it are now being heated by the collision of an invisible shockwave from the supernova explosion.
[Right]
Image processing is used to emphasize four new bright knots of superheated gas discovered in the February 2 Hubble observations. The brightest knot, at the far right, was seen in 1997. Astronomers have been waiting several years to see more of the ring light-up as the supernova shockwave smashes into it. This is the first definitive sign of the full onset of a dramatic and violent collision which will continue over the next few years, rejuvenating SN1987A as a powerful source of X-ray and radio emissions.
Both images were made in visual light. Computer image processing techniques were used to enhance details in the ring.
Credit:
About the Image
NASA caption
| Id: | opo0011a |
| Type: | Collage |
| Release date: | 16 February 2000, 06:00 |
| Size: | 3001 x 2401 px |
About the Object
| Name: | SN 1987A |
| Type: | • Local Universe : Star : Evolutionary Stage : Supernova • Stars Images/Videos • Miscellaneous Images/Videos |
| Distance: | 170000 light years |
Colours & filters
| Band | Telescope |
| Optical | Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 |
