The Tarantula Nebula, before supernova SN1987A
AAO image reference AAT 49. « Previous || Next »
Top left is NE. Image width is about 28 arc min
Roll mouse over picture to see precursor star
Image and text © 1987-2002,
Anglo-Australian Observatory, photograph by David Malin.
By great good fortune, the star (Sanduleak -69°202, arrowed)
which exploded as the supernova had been observed some years
previously and was found to be a typical young, bluish star, much
hotter and brighter than stars like the Sun. There are many similar
stars in this part of the LMC which is
dominated by the spectacular red cloud of the Tarantula Nebula. It in such nebulae that
stars are formed, often in compact groups such as those scattered
across this photograph, which was taken in 1984. The difference in
image quality (seeing) between this picture and AAT 48 is an effect of the Earth's atmosphere
which was steadier when the plates used to make this picture were
taken. Click here for bigger image.
Entry from NGC 2000.0 (R.W. Sinnott, Ed.) © Sky Publishing Corporation, 1988:
Related Images
AAT 48. The Tarantula Nebula and supernova 1987a in the Large Magellanic Cloud
AAT 48a. Supernova 1987A, the star, in March 1987
AAT 50. The Tarantula Nebula, before and after supernova SN1987A
AAT 66. The light echo of supernova 1987A
AAT 67. Supernova 1987a after 4 years
For details of photographic exposure, search
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