#sn1987a

Embark on an awe-inspiring journey with this mesmerizing video, starting with a breathtaking view of the nocturnal sky as observed from Earth. 🌌✨ As the lens zooms in, we're transported to the ethereal realm of the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy dancing around our Milky Way.

Prepare to be captivated as the camera delves deeper, revealing the remnants of the extraordinary supernova explosion 1987A. Nestled amidst a sea of red-hued gas, this cosmic spectacle unfolds before our eyes, showcasing the enigmatic aftermath through the lens of the Hubble Space Telescope.

Credit: NASA, ESA, and G. Bacon (STScI)

JWST on SN1987A

The last naked eye supernova to grace our skies was in 1987, 160,000 light years from Earth in the Large Magellanic Clouds. (LMC). Since that time we've turned our telescopes towards it, watching it form and interact with the dust and gas surrounding it. Before JWST, the Spitzer IR telescope was regularly watching it, but while it picked out some of the details above, it was never able to see the kind of detail JWST can, and now it takes up the mantle of watching SN1987A as it grows and expands.

A few interesting notes, the ring with bright blobs in it was a ring expelled many thousands of years prior to the supernova, giant stars rarely just suddenly go supernova, it's a long process of collapse and rebound as the tug of war between gravity and fusion play out, and these events can often release a huge amount of atmosphere from the star into space, as regularly seen with Wolf Rayet stars. As the shockwave from the explosion reached these previous expulsion events, it causes the gas to heat up and clump together.

This artist’s impression of the material around a recently exploded star, known as Supernova 1987A (or SN 1987A), is based on observations which have for the first time revealed a three dimensional view of the distribution of the expelled material. The observations were made by astronomers using ESO’s Very Large Telescope. The original blast was not only powerful, according to the new results. It was also more concentrated in one particular direction. This is a strong indication that the supernova must have been very turbulent, supporting the most recent computer models. This video shows the different elements present in SN 1987A: two outer rings, one inner ring and the deformed, innermost expelled material.

Just how a supernova explodes is not very well understood, but the way the star exploded is imprinted on this inner material. The astronomers could deduce that this material was not ejected symmetrically in all directions, but rather seems to have had a preferred direction. Besides, this direction is different to what was expected from the position of the rings.

The Nearest Supernova Of Our Lifetime Turns 30, And Still Shines

“The supernova light brightened and then dimmed, but the surrounding gas, blown off from the supergiant, remains illuminated by radiation. As shockwaves from the explosion move outwards, they collide with interstellar material, producing brightening rings of material.”

In February of 1987, the first light from a supernova some 168,000 light years away was observed on Earth. It became the closest supernova to be observed since the invention of the telescope. As a result, it’s taught us more about massive star death, ejecta and supernova remnant evolution than any other object in the Universe. Illuminated outer rings showcase ejection events that occurred prior to the final death of the star; continued brightening teach us the rate of expansion of the supernova remnant; the lack of a neutron star at the core teaches us about the power of dust to obscure even radio light from this object. Perhaps most interestingly, neutrinos were observed from this supernova, arriving nearly three hours before the light did, confirming that they move through a star unimpeded, unlike light.

🔭 The James Webb Space Telescope has captured the enigmatic SN 1987A like never before, revealing intricate details that have left scientists and space enthusiasts awestruck. From the mesmerizing keyhole-shaped core to the delicate crescents that adorn its vicinity, prepare to be captivated by the celestial ballet of materials and energies.

🌟 But that's not all – an equatorial ring, formed eons before the supernova's explosive spectacle, paints a mesmerizing portrait with its vibrant hot spots. And let's not forget the outer expanse, where diffuse emissions and faint outer rings await your exploration.

🎨 The colors in this cosmic masterpiece are as vivid as the tale they tell: blue, cyan, yellow, orange, and red, each representing a different wavelength and a unique facet of SN 1987A's enchanting story.

🔍 Join us on this interstellar journey as we unravel the mysteries of SN 1987A with the groundbreaking insights of the James Webb Telescope. Get ready to witness the universe like never before! 🌌✨

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