Brightest supernova

The brightest ever seen by historic man is believed to be SN 1006, noted in April 1006 near the star Beta Lupi, which flared for two years and reached a magnitude of -7.5. This titanic cosmic explosion was bright enough to be seen with the naked eye for 24 months and, at its brightest was 1,500 times brighter than Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. The supernova was around 7,000 light years away.

The remnant is believed to be the radio source G327.6+14.5, nearly 3000 light years distant. Others have occurred in 1054, 1604 and 1885 and most recently on 23 February 1987, when Ian Shelton sighted that now designated SN 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud 170,000 light years distant. This supernova was visible to the naked eye when at its brightest in May 1987.

It is believed that this was a type 1a supernova, triggered by the accretion of matter onto a white dwarf star from a larger companion.