.This graphic, launched on Feb. 24, 2017, shows Supernova 1987a (center) surrounded through dramatic reddish clouds of gasoline as well as dirt within the Large Magellanic Cloud. This supernova, initial uncovered on Feb. 23, 1987, blazed along with the energy of 100 million Suns. Because that 1st sighting, SN 1987A has actually continued to captivate astronomers with its own incredible play of light. Found in the surrounding Sizable Magellanic Cloud, it was the nearest supernova blast noted in hundreds of years and the greatest chance yet for stargazers to examine the periods prior to, throughout, as well as after the death of a star.Picture credit: NASA, ESA, R. Kirshner (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and also Gordon and Betty Moore Groundwork), as well as M. Mutchler and also R. Avila (STScI).