SN 185
Event type | Supernova remnant, supernova |
---|---|
Type Ia? | |
Date | 7 December 185 |
Constellation | Circinus and Centaurus |
Right ascension | 14h 43m |
Declination | −62° 30′ |
Epoch | J2000 |
Galactic coordinates | G315.4−2.3 |
Distance | 2,800 pc (9,100 ly)[1] |
Remnant | Shell |
Host | Milky Way |
Notable features | Ancient records of SN 185 may be the earliest written description of a supernova. |
Peak apparent magnitude | "as much as -8"[2] |
Other designations | SN 185, SNR G315.0-02.3, SNR G315.4-02.3, 1ES 1436-62.4, 1RXS J144254.3-622815, 3FHL J1443.0-6227e, AJG 27, 3A 1438-626, GPS 1438-624, MSH 14-6-03, 2FHL J1443.2-6221e |
Preceded by | None known |
Followed by | SN 386 |
SN 185 was a
History
The Book of Later Han gives the following description:
In the 2nd year of the epoch Zhongping [中平], the 10th month, on the day Guihai [癸亥] [December 7, Year 185], a 'guest star' appeared in the middle of the Southern Gate [南門] [an asterism consisting of ε Centauri and α Centauri], The size was half a bamboo mat. It displayed various colors, both pleasing and otherwise.[4] It gradually lessened. In the 6th month of the succeeding year it disappeared.[5]
The gaseous shell RCW 86 is probably the supernova remnant of this event and has a relatively large angular size of roughly 45 arc minutes[1] (larger than the apparent size of the full moon, which varies from 29 to 34 arc minutes). The distance to RCW 86 is estimated to be 2,800 parsecs (9,100 light-years).[1] Recent X-ray studies show a good match for the expected age.[6]
Infrared observations from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) reveal how the supernova occurred and how its shattered remains ultimately spread out to great distances. The findings show that the stellar explosion took place in a hollowed-out cavity, allowing material expelled by the star to travel much faster and farther than it would have otherwise.[7]
Differing modern interpretations of the Chinese records of the guest star have led to quite different suggestions for the astronomical mechanism behind the event, from a
Gallery
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The SMARTS 0.9-meter Telescope has captured an echo of the past in this image. RCW 86 is a literal shell of its former self, the gaseous remnant of a supernova.[10]
See also
- List of supernovae
- History of supernova observation
- List of supernova remnants
- List of supernova candidates
References
- ^ S2CID 16726273.
- ^ S2CID 145250371.
- .
- ^ Ye, Fan. Book of the Later Han.
- ^ 《後漢書·卷十二·天文下》:"中平二年十月癸亥,客星出南門中,大如半筵,五色喜怒稍小,至後年六月消。占曰:‘為兵。’至六年,司隸校尉袁紹 誅滅中官,大將軍 部曲將 吳匡 攻殺 車騎將軍 何苗,死者數千人。"
- ^ "New evidence links stellar remains to oldest recorded supernova". ESA News. 2006-09-18. Retrieved 2006-05-24.
- ^ a b c "NASA Telescopes Help Solve Ancient Supernova Mystery". NASA. 2011-10-24. Archived from the original on 2019-06-17. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
- S2CID 4240119.
- S2CID 118523755.
- ^ "Dynastic Vibes". Retrieved 26 December 2022.
External links
- NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day: RCW 86: Historical Supernova Remnant (28 September 2006)
- NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day: RCW 86: Historical Supernova Remnant (10 November 2011)
- BBC News – Ancient supernova mystery solved (25 October 2011)