Supernova 1987A
The European Space Agency's Faint Object Camera on board NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has provided a fascinating close-up view of Supernova 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud.
Since they first saw the initial explosion in February 1987, astronomers world-wide have been monitoring closely the evolution of SN 1987A using both ground-based and space instrumentation. During the three and a half years following its discovery, the supernova initially increased its brightness by a factor of 100 and has since dimmed one million times in brightness from its peak intensity. This dimming has enabled astronomers to take a closer look at the supernova proper and its surroundings.
Credit:
About the Image
NASA press release
NASA caption
NASA caption
| Id: | opo9017a |
| Type: | Collage |
| Release date: | 13 September 1990, 06:00 |
| Size: | 2369 x 2239 px |
About the Object
| Name: | SN 1987A |
| Type: | • Local Universe : Star : Evolutionary Stage : Supernova • Stars Images/Videos |
| Distance: | 170000 light years |
Colours & filters
| Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
| Ultraviolet U |
275 nm | Hubble Space Telescope FOC |
| Optical OIII |
501 nm | Hubble Space Telescope FOC |
