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> The Tarantula Nebula, before supernova SN1987A

The Tarantula Nebula, before supernova SN1987A

author: Anglo-Australian Observatory/David Malin Images/Novapix

reference: a-snv01-98710

Image Size 300 DPI: 51 * 40 cm

By great good fortune, the star (Sanduleak -69°202) which exploded as the supernova, had been observed some years previously and was found to be a typical young, bluish star, much hotter and brighter than stars like the Sun. There are many similar stars in this part of the LMC which is dominated by the spectacular red cloud of the Tarantula Nebula. It in such nebulae that stars are formed, often in compact groups such as those scattered across this photograph, which was taken in 1984.

Keywords for this photo:

1984 - 30 DORADUS - AAO - ASTRONOMY - COMPARISON - DORADO - EMISSION NEBULA - EVOLUTION - LARGE MAGELLANIC CLOUD - NEBULA - POSTER - SIDING SPRING - SN 1987A - SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE - STAR - TARENTULA -