Evolution of Supernova 1987A

A String of 'Cosmic Pearls' Surrounds an Exploding Star

Two decades ago, astronomers spotted one of the brightest exploding stars in more than 400 years. Since that first sighting, the doomed star, called Supernova 1987A, has continued to fascinate astronomers with its spectacular light show. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is one of...

Hubble Images Chronicle the Inner Ring's Light Show

This photo album of images from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope shows a ring of gas beginning to glow around an exploded star. The stellar blast, called Supernova 1987A, was first spotted 20 years ago. The explosion is one of the brightest supernova blasts in more than 400 years....

Supernova 1987A: September 24, 1994

Supernova 1987A: February 6, 1998

Supernova 1987A: March 23, 2001

Supernova 1987A: January 5, 2003

Supernova 1987A: December 15, 2004

Supernova 1987A: December 6, 2006

Inner Debris of the Supernova 1987A Ring

SN 1987A 1994-2006 (Annotated)

A time-lapse sequence of 12 years of Hubble observing SN 1987A shows the onrushing stellar shock wave from the stellar explosion as it is slamming into, heating up, and illuminating the inner regions of the narrow ring surrounding the doomed star.

SN 1987A 1994-2006

A time-lapse sequence of 12 years of Hubble observing SN 1987A shows the onrushing stellar shock wave from the stellar explosion as it is slamming into, heating up, and illuminating the inner regions of the narrow ring surrounding the doomed star.

SN 1987A Debris Sequence 1994-2006 (Annotated)

A time-lapse sequence showing a detailed view of the stellar debris in the inner regions of SN 1987A.

SN 1987A Debris Sequence 1994-2006

A time-lapse sequence showing a detailed view of the stellar debris in the inner regions of SN 1987A.