Hubble Supernova 1987A Scrapbook (1994-2003)
Since its launch in 1990, NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has watched a celestial drama unfold at a stellar demolition site. A shock wave unleashed during a stellar explosion, called Supernova 1987A (SN 1987A), has been racing toward a ring of matter encircling the blast site. Astronomers used Hubble to monitor the ring for signs of the impending bombardment. They detected the first evidence of a collision in 1996 [the bright spot at 11 o'clock in the Feb. 6, 1998 image]. Subsequent observations show dozens more "hot spots" as the blast wave slammed into the ring, compressing and heating the gas, and making it glow.
Credit:About the Image
About the Object
Name: | IRAS 05240-6948, SN 1987A |
Type: | Local Universe : Star : Evolutionary Stage : Supernova |
Distance: | 170000 light years |
Category: | Stars |
Colours & filters
Band | Telescope |
---|---|
Optical |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
Optical |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |