Historical supernovae
This timeline describes several bright supernovae witnessed by astronomers over the past millennium.
No bright supernovae have exploded in the Milky Way Galaxy since the invention of the telescope in 1610. However, at least five supernovae that must have occurred within our galaxy were recorded in various chronicles and writings from medieval times into the Renaissance. An article in the February 2004 issue of Astronomy ("Star light, star bright") discusses the supernova of 1006. Here is a list of bright supernovae that have been witnessed and recorded throughout history. For a full exploration...