1987 Supernova

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By WSBT Weather

Story Created: Oct 4, 2009

Story Updated: Oct 4, 2009

A supernova is when a star dies and explodes. Supernova 1987A occurred 168,000 light years away from the earth. Even though the supernova was first visible on earth in 1987, it actually occurred 168,000 years ago. When we look at the stars we are actually looking into the past. It takes time, sometimes a very long time, for light from different stars to reach the earth. In the case of the 1987 supernova it took 168,000 years for the light created by the supernova to reach the earth. Light from our sun by comparison takes about 8 minutes to reach the earth.

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