APOD: 2023 August 6 Б SN 1006: A Supernova Ribbon from Hubble
Explanation:
What created this unusual space ribbon?
The answer: one of the most
violent explosions
ever witnessed by ancient humans.
Back in the year 1006 AD, light reached Earth from a
stellar explosion in the
constellation of the Wolf
(Lupus),
creating a "guest star" in the sky that appeared brighter than
Venus and lasted for over two years.
The supernova, now cataloged at
SN 1006,
occurred about 7,000 light years away and has
left a large remnant that
continues to expand and fade today.
Pictured here is a small part of that
expanding supernova
remnant dominated by a
thin and outwardly moving
shock front that heats and ionizes
surrounding ambient gas.
The supernova remnant SN 1006
now has a diameter of nearly 60
light years.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
