Exploding Supernova image

Credit: ESO/L. Calçada

This artist's impression of the material around a recently exploded star, known as Supernova 1987A (or SN 1987A), is based on observations which have for the first time revealed a three dimensional view of the distribution of the expelled material. The observations were made by astronomers using ESO's Very Large Telescope.

Astronomers have generated a 3-D view at a famed exploding star to reveal how fast the powerful supernova ejected material when it died. The stunning view comes from new observations of the well-known Supernova 1987A, which as its name suggests exploded in 1987 and was the first naked-eye star explosion seen in 383 years.

The original blast was not only powerful, it was also more concentrated in one particular direction, according to the new study. This is a strong indication that the supernova must have been very turbulent, supporting the most recent computer models, researchers said.