Supernova 1987A: February 6, 1998
This Hubble telescope image shows the supernova's triple-ring system, including the bright spots along the inner ring of gas surrounding the exploded star. A shock wave of material unleashed by the stellar blast is slamming into regions along the inner ring, heating them up, and causing them to glow. The ring, about a light-year across, was probably shed by the star about 20 000 years before it exploded.
Credit:About the Image
NASA press release
| Id: | heic0704d |
|---|---|
| Type: | Observation |
| Release date: | 22 February 2007, 16:55 |
| Related releases: | heic0704 |
| Size: | 326 x 262 px |
About the Object
| Name: | SN 1987A |
|---|---|
| Type: | Local Universe : Star : Evolutionary Stage : Supernova |
| Distance: | 170000 light years |
| Constellation: | Dorado |
| Category: | Stars |
Classic Wallpapers
Coordinates
| Position (RA): | 5 35 27.99 |
|---|---|
| Position (Dec): | -69° 16' 11.26" |
| Field of view: | 0.03 x 0.03 arcminutes |
| Orientation: | North is 0.0° left of vertical |
View in ESASky:
View in WorldWide Telescope:
Colours & filters
| Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
|---|---|---|
| Optical B | 435 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |
| Optical V | 555 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |
| Optical R | 625 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
WFPC2 |