SN 1054

Definition

SN 1054 is a supernova that was first observed in the year 1054 AD by astronomers in several different cultures. Its remnants form the Crab Nebula, which is one of the most studied astronomical objects today.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. SN 1054 was visible during daylight for about three weeks and at night for nearly two years.
2. The explosion was so bright that it was recorded by Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arab astronomers.
3. The remnants of SN 1054 are what we now call the Crab Nebula.
4. At the center of the Crab Nebula lies a pulsar, which is a highly magnetized rotating neutron star.
5. SN 1054 provided early evidence supporting the existence and nature of neutron stars.

Review Questions

• What celestial object did SN 1054 eventually form?
• How long was SN 1054 visible in daylight?
• Which cultures recorded observations of SN 1054?

Related terms

Supernova: A powerful and luminous stellar explosion marking the death of a massive star.

Pulsar: A highly magnetized rotating neutron star that emits beams of electromagnetic radiation out of its magnetic poles.

Neutron Star: The dense core left behind after a supernova explosion, composed almost entirely of neutrons.