Discover the history of supernova SN 1054

Everything in life has a beginning and an end, and that includes the stars. Their death is an inevitable process, occurring when their fuel runs out and their structure begins to shrink, causing an explosion known as a supernova.

This is one of the largest explosions that can occur in the universe, capable of producing more energy in seconds than the Sun in its lifetime.

Although it is not a common phenomenon to be observed, history gives us examples of supernovae that occurred in times past. One example occurred in the year 1054, when a star exploded and became visible as a bright light in the sky for several months.

This explosion, which became known as supernova SN 1054, was observed by Chinese, Japanese, and possibly other cultures around the world. SN 1054 was so bright that it could be seen during the day for several weeks and at night for about two years.

The Crab Nebula

The supernova explosion threw a large amount of material into space, which eventually formed the Crab Nebula, which is still visible today.

Visible in the sky since the explosion of supernova SN 1054, the Crab Nebula has been admired and studied by astronomers around the world. Through observation and analysis, scientists have been able to calculate the approximate year the bright light was seen in the sky.

Astronomers have used techniques such as measuring the expansion of the nebula and analyzing historical records to determine that supernova SN 1054 occurred nearly a thousand years ago. Specifically, the bright light seen in the sky was the result of an exploding star located in the constellation Taurus.

The observation of SN 1054 has had a huge impact on our understanding of stars and starbursts. Today, we know that supernovae are essential for the formation of the heavy elements in the universe, including those that make up life on Earth.

Supernova SN 1054 and other events like it continue to be a magnet for astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts around the world.