Supernovas: Nature’s Most Violent Catastrophes

Until 1987, one fact about the stars had remained the same in every astronomy textbook ever published: In the past thousand years, only five supernovas had been visible to the naked eye, the last one dating from before the landing near Plymouth Rock. Now there are six. On February 23, 1987, a new star burst forth and gleamed in the southern skies. Although the star has now faded from view, it is still being chronicled by astronomers who never dreamed that they would be alive to witness so clearly the violent death of a massive star. Supernova SN 1987 A has given scientists new confidence that they really do understand much about these awesome events.