Chandra Timelapse Movie of SN 1987A
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This sequence shows how the X-ray emission from Supernova 1987A (known as SN 1987A) has brightened from 1999 to 2005. The X-rays are produced when a shock wave from the supernova collides with the cooler, outer layers shed before the star exploded. As the shock wave plows deeper into the cool cloud the ring should become larger and much brighter in both optical and X-ray light.
[Runtime: 0:47]
(Credit: X-ray Images: NASA/CXC/PSU/S.Park & D.Burrows. Optical Image: NASA/STScI/CfA/P.Challis et al.)

SN 1987A Animation
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The animation illustrates the events following the supernova 1987A outburst. The blue ring is previously observed material ejected from the star thousands of years ago. The expanding orange and yellow shell is multimillion degree, X-ray emitting gas produced by the explosion. Portions of the blue ring light up when struck by the X-ray shell.
[Runtime: 0:22]
(Animation: NASA/CXC/D.Berry)
Still Photo 1 | Still Photo 2