The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
Support Our Science

Image List

New Supernova Remnant Lights Up

  • This Hubble Space Telescope image of SN 1987A shows a fished-shaped central blob of supernova debris that has begun to brighten. This brightening, due to illumination by X-rays from the surrounding ring of pre-supernova material, marks the shift from a supernova to supernova remnant. The closest supernova explosion seen in almost 400 years, SN 1987A is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud.

    This Hubble Space Telescope image of SN 1987A shows a fished-shaped central blob of supernova debris that has begun to brighten. This brightening, due to illumination by X-rays from the surrounding ring of pre-supernova material, marks the shift from a supernova to supernova remnant. The closest supernova explosion seen in almost 400 years, SN 1987A is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud.

    NASA/P. Challis (CfA)

    Low Resolution Image

    High Resolution Image