A ring around SN1987A

Image of SN1987A obtained at different times in the near-infrared with ESO's telescopes. The two first images were taken with the 2.2-m telescope at La Silla with the IRAC instrument, 2468 and 2865 days, respectively, after the explosion. The third image, obtained in October 2006 or 7170 days after the explosion, was taken with the NACO Adaptive Optics instrument on Yepun, the fourth Unit Telescope of the Very Large Telescope at Paranal. NACO corrects for the blurring effect of the atmosphere, allowing to obtain images almost as good as if the telescope was placed in space.

Credit:

ESO

About the Image

Id:eso0708f
Type:Observation
Release date:24 February 2007
Related releases:eso0708
Size:2185 x 632 px

About the Object

Name:SN 1987A
Type:Local Universe : Star : Evolutionary Stage : Supernova
Distance:170000 light years
Category:Stars

Image Formats

Large JPEG
262.4 KB
Screensize JPEG
81.2 KB

Wallpapers

1024x768
73.8 KB
1280x1024
100.0 KB
1600x1200
129.4 KB
1920x1200
191.3 KB
2048x1536
179.6 KB

Colours & filters

BandTelescope
Infrared
Near-IR
MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope
IRAC
Infrared
Near-IR
Very Large Telescope
NACO