Four Bright Knots of Superheated Gas in Supernova 1987A Ring
Depicts: SN 1987A
Copyright: NASA, Peter Challis and Robert Kirshner (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics), Peter Garnavich (University of Notre Dame) and the SINS collaboration.
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Image processing is used to emphasize four new bright
knots of superheated gas discovered in the February 2 Hubble
observations. The brightest knot, at the far right, was seen in 1997.
Astronomers have been waiting several years to see more of the ring
light-up as the supernova shockwave smashes into it. This is the first
definitive sign of the full onset of a dramatic and violent collision
which will continue over the next few years, rejuvenating SN1987A as a
powerful source of X-ray and radio emissions.
Last Update: 1 September 2019
