Supernova 1987a explosion (image 1 of 5). Computer simulation of a star exploding as Supernova 1987a 300 seconds after its core collapsed. Density inc

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Supernova 1987a explosion (image 1 of 5). Computer simulation of a star exploding as Supernova 1987a 300 seconds after its core collapsed. Density increases from black through red and orange to white. A shock wave is expanding through the star's outer layers of hydrogen. Metals (white) from the core are being expelled rapidly, with turbulence occurring as they collide with gases in the star's interior. Supernova 1987a was the explosive death of the blue supergiant star Sanduleak -69 202. Work done at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Germany. See images R732/041-45 for the explosion sequence.

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Size: 5169px × 2727px
Photo credit: © KONSTANTINOS KIFONIDIS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -69, 1987a, 202, 300, astronomy, cosmology, death, density, explosion, matter, model, sanduleak, science, seconds, sequence, simulation, star, stellar, supernova