SN 1987A and the Honeycomb Nebula
The brightest supernova which has exploded in the current epoch is SN 1987A, located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, at the edge of the Tarantula nebula. The explosion was seen on 23 February 1987 and since then the ejected material has created a set of ring structures. The outer ring is clearly visible in this image. In the lower part of the image, an amazing structure is seen: the Honeycomb Nebula.
Credit:ESO
About the Image
| Id: | eso0650b |
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 21 December 2006 |
| Related releases: | eso0650 |
| Size: | 720 x 657 px |
About the Object
| Name: | SN 1987A |
| Type: | Local Universe : Star : Evolutionary Stage : Supernova |
| Distance: | 170000 light years |
| Constellation: | Dorado |
| Category: | Nebulae |
Wallpapers
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 5 35 43.98 |
| Position (Dec): | -69° 17' 52.40" |
| Field of view: | 5.69 x 5.19 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 0.6° right of vertical |
View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colours & filters
| Band | Telescope |
|---|---|
| Optical B | MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI |
| Optical V | MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI |
| Optical Oiii | MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope WFI |