SN 1006: Difference between revisions
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The [[Egypt]]ian Arabic astronomer and [[Islamic astrology|astrologer]] [[Ali ibn Ridwan]], writing in a commentary on [[Ptolemy]]'s ''Tetrabiblos'', has left another historical description of the supernova. He says that the object was 2.5 to three times as large as the disc of [[Venus]] {{Clarifyme|date=February 2009}}, and about one-quarter the brightness of the [[Moon]], and, like all other observers, says that the star was low on the southern horizon. Monks at the [[Abbey of St. Gall|Benedictine abbey at St. Gallen]] broadly corroborate bin Ridwan's observations as to magnitude and location in the sky, additionally writing that "[i]n a wonderful manner this was sometimes contracted, sometimes diffused, and moreover sometimes extinguished." This last is often taken as proof that the supernova was of [[Type Ia supernova|Type Ia]]. Some sources state that the star was bright enough to cast shadows; it was certainly seen during daylight hours for some time, and the modern-day astronomer [[Frank Winkler]] has said that "in the spring of 1006, people could probably have read manuscripts at midnight by its light."<ref>{{cite press release | title = Astronomers Peg Brightness of History’s Brightest Star | publisher = National Optical Astronomy Observatory | date = 2003-03-05 | url = http://www.noao.edu/outreach/press/pr03/pr0304.html | accessdate = 2009-01-12 }}</ref> |
The [[Egypt]]ian Arabic astronomer and [[Islamic astrology|astrologer]] [[Ali ibn Ridwan]], writing in a commentary on [[Ptolemy]]'s ''Tetrabiblos'', has left another historical description of the supernova. He says that the object was 2.5 to three times as large as the disc of [[Venus]] {{Clarifyme|date=February 2009}}, and about one-quarter the brightness of the [[Moon]], and, like all other observers, says that the star was low on the southern horizon. Monks at the [[Abbey of St. Gall|Benedictine abbey at St. Gallen]] broadly corroborate bin Ridwan's observations as to magnitude and location in the sky, additionally writing that "[i]n a wonderful manner this was sometimes contracted, sometimes diffused, and moreover sometimes extinguished." This last is often taken as proof that the supernova was of [[Type Ia supernova|Type Ia]]. Some sources state that the star was bright enough to cast shadows; it was certainly seen during daylight hours for some time, and the modern-day astronomer [[Frank Winkler]] has said that "in the spring of 1006, people could probably have read manuscripts at midnight by its light."<ref>{{cite press release | title = Astronomers Peg Brightness of History’s Brightest Star | publisher = National Optical Astronomy Observatory | date = 2003-03-05 | url = http://www.noao.edu/outreach/press/pr03/pr0304.html | accessdate = 2009-01-12 }}</ref> |
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The reports from Switzerland are particularly noteworthy, as the supernova would have been very low in the sky there, rising to at most 5 degrees above the southern horizon and being visible for only 4-5 hours at a time. [[Extinction (astronomy)|Atmospheric extinction]] and the need to find a site with a clear southern horizon make seeing even bright objects this low difficult; the "sometimes contracted, diffused, extinguished" remarks quoted above hint at atmospheric effects caused by the low apparent altitude of the object. |
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According to ''Songshi'' in the section of 56 and 461, the star was seen on [[May 1]], [[1006]] which appeared to the south of constellation [[Root (Chinese constellation)|Di]], east of [[Lupus (constellation)|Lupus]] and one degree to the west of [[Centaurus]]. The size of the visual explosion was half that of the moon, and shone so brightly that objects on the ground could be seen at night. |
According to ''Songshi'' in the section of 56 and 461, the star was seen on [[May 1]], [[1006]] which appeared to the south of constellation [[Root (Chinese constellation)|Di]], east of [[Lupus (constellation)|Lupus]] and one degree to the west of [[Centaurus]]. The size of the visual explosion was half that of the moon, and shone so brightly that objects on the ground could be seen at night. |
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Revision as of 20:55, 30 April 2009
| File:Sn1006.jpg | |
| Event type | Supernova, supernova remnant, astronomical radio source, astrophysical X-ray source  |
|---|---|
| Type Ia | |
| Date | May 1 1006 |
| Constellation | Lupus |
| Right ascension | 15h 2m8s |
| Declination | -41° 57′ |
| Epoch | ? |
| Galactic coordinates | G.327.6+14.6 |
| Distance | 7.2 kilolight-years (2.2 kiloparsecs) |
| Remnant | Shell |
| Host | Milky Way |
| Progenitor | Unknown |
| Progenitor type | Unknown |
| Colour (B-V) | some sources cite yellowish at visible spectrum |
| Notable features | Brightest supernova in recorded history, and therefore most described of the pre-telescopic era |
| Peak apparent magnitude | -7.5[1] |
| Other designations | SN 1006, SN 1006A, SN 1016, SNR G327.6+14.6, SNR G327.6+14.5, 1ES 1500-41.5, MRC 1459-417, XSS J15031-4149, PKS 1459-41, AJG 37, 4U 1458-41, 3U 1439-39, 2U 1440-39, MSH 14-4-15, PKS 1459-419, PKS J1502-4205 |
 Related media on Commons | |
SN 1006 was a supernova, widely seen on Earth beginning in the year 1006 CE; Earth was about 7200 light-years away from the supernova. It was the brightest apparent magnitude stellar event in recorded history. First appearing in the constellation of Lupus between April 30 and May 1 of that year, this "guest star" was described by observers in Switzerland, Egypt, Iraq, China, Japan, and possibly North America.
Historic description
The Chinese and Arabic astronomers have left the most complete historical descriptions of the supernova.
The Egyptian Arabic astronomer and astrologer Ali ibn Ridwan, writing in a commentary on Ptolemy's Tetrabiblos, has left another historical description of the supernova. He says that the object was 2.5 to three times as large as the disc of Venus [clarification needed], and about one-quarter the brightness of the Moon, and, like all other observers, says that the star was low on the southern horizon. Monks at the Benedictine abbey at St. Gallen broadly corroborate bin Ridwan's observations as to magnitude and location in the sky, additionally writing that "[i]n a wonderful manner this was sometimes contracted, sometimes diffused, and moreover sometimes extinguished." This last is often taken as proof that the supernova was of Type Ia. Some sources state that the star was bright enough to cast shadows; it was certainly seen during daylight hours for some time, and the modern-day astronomer Frank Winkler has said that "in the spring of 1006, people could probably have read manuscripts at midnight by its light."[2]
The reports from Switzerland are particularly noteworthy, as the supernova would have been very low in the sky there, rising to at most 5 degrees above the southern horizon and being visible for only 4-5 hours at a time. Atmospheric extinction and the need to find a site with a clear southern horizon make seeing even bright objects this low difficult; the "sometimes contracted, diffused, extinguished" remarks quoted above hint at atmospheric effects caused by the low apparent altitude of the object.
According to Songshi in the section of 56 and 461, the star was seen on May 1, 1006 which appeared to the south of constellation Di, east of Lupus and one degree to the west of Centaurus. The size of the visual explosion was half that of the moon, and shone so brightly that objects on the ground could be seen at night.
By December, it was again sighted in the constellation Di. The Chinese astrologer Zhou Keming, who was on his return to Kaifeng from his duty in Guangdong, interpreted the star to the emperor on May 30 as an auspicious star, yellow in color and brilliant in its brightness, that would bring great prosperity to the state over which it appeared.
There appear to have been two distinct phases in the early evolution of this supernova. There was first a three-month period at which it was at its brightest; after this period it diminished, then returned for a period of about eighteen months. Most astrologers interpreted the event as a portent of warfare and famine.
A petroglyph by the Hohokam has been discovered in White Tank Mountain Regional Park which may be the first known North American representation of the supernova.[3]
Remnant
The associated supernova remnant from this explosion was not identified until 1965, when Doug Milne and Frank Gardner used the Parkes radio telescope to demonstrate that the previously known radio source PKS 1459-41, near the star Beta Lupi, had the appearance of a 30-arcminute circular shell.[4] Over the next few years, both X-ray and optical emission from this remnant were also detected. The supernova remnant of SN 1006 has an estimated distance of 2.2 kiloparsecs, making it approximately 20 parsecs in diameter. As expected for the remnant of a Type Ia supernova, no associated neutron star or black hole has been found.
References
- ^ Winkler, P. Frank (2003). "The SN 1006 Remnant: Optical Proper Motions, Deep Imaging, Distance, and Brightness at Maximum". The Astrophysical Journal. 585: 324–335. doi:10.1086/345985.
- ^ "Astronomers Peg Brightness of History's Brightest Star" (Press release). National Optical Astronomy Observatory. 2003-03-05. Retrieved 2009-01-12.
- ^ CNN.com - Ancient rock art may depict exploding star - Jun 5, 2006
- ^ The supernova of A.D. 1006
External links
- Stories of SN 1006 in Chinese literature.
- National Optical Observatory Press Release for March 2003
- Space.com Image of the Day 19 December 2005
- Globe and Mail: Arizona petroglyph recorded 1006 supernova, astronomer suggests
- Ancient Rock Art Depicts Exploding Star Space.com report, June 6, 2006
- Experts question "supernova" rock art, Sky & Telescope Report, June 7, 2006
- Entry for supernova remnant of SN 1006 from the Galactic Supernova Remnant Catalogue
- X-ray image of supernova remnant of SN 1006, as seen with the Chandra X-ray Observatory
- Ancient rock art may depict exploding star
- Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD), July 4, 2008
- APOD, March 17, 2003
- Margaret Donsbach: The Scholar's Supernova
- SN 1006 on WikiSky: DSS2, SDSS, GALEX, IRAS, Hydrogen α, X-Ray, Astrophoto, Sky Map, Articles and images