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
Distance:170000 light years
Category:Nebulae
Stars

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Colours & filters

BandWavelengthTelescope
Optical
H-alpha
656 nmNew Technology Telescope
EMMI

Exposure time: 600s