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Ring Around Supernova 1987A (SN1987A) – March 5, 1995
About the Object
- R.A. PositionR.A. PositionRight ascension – analogous to longitude – is one component of an object's position.05h 35m 28.25s
- Dec. PositionDec. PositionDeclination – analogous to latitude – is one component of an object's position.-69° 16' 13.0"
- ConstellationConstellationOne of 88 recognized regions of the celestial sphere in which the object appears.Dorado
- DistanceDistanceThe physical distance from Earth to the astronomical object. Distances within our solar system are usually measured in Astronomical Units (AU). Distances between stars are usually measured in light-years. Interstellar distances can also be measured in parsecs.Approximately 160,000 light-years away (49 kiloparsecs)
- DimensionsDimensionsThe physical size of the object or the apparent angle it subtends on the sky.This image of the SN1987A ring is roughly 2.6 arcseconds wide. At the distance of the LMC, this represents 2 light-years (0.6 parsecs).
About the Data
- InstrumentInstrumentThe science instrument used to produce the data.HST>WFPC2
- Exposure DatesExposure DatesThe date(s) that the telescope made its observations and the total exposure time.March 5, 1995
- Object NameObject NameA name or catalog number that astronomers use to identify an astronomical object.SN1987A
- Object DescriptionObject DescriptionThe type of astronomical object.Supernova in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC)
- Release DateFebruary 19, 2004
- Science ReleaseSupernova Shock Wave Is Producing a Spectacular New Light Show
- Credit
Related Images & Videos
Supersonic Shock Wave Heats Gas Ring Around Supernova 1987A (SN1987A)
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Hubble Supernova 1987A Scrapbook (1994-2003)
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Observations of SN1987A at Different Wavelengths
Hubble's optical light observations of Supernova 1987A become even more valuable when they are combined with observations from telescopes that can measure other kinds of radiation from the exploding star. The image shows the evolving images of hot spots from the Hubble Telescope...
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Details
Claire Andreoli
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland
claire.andreoli@nasa.gov
