The final gasps of the Crab Head nebula were observed as it went supernova.
The Crab Nebula is the leftover, or remnant, of a massive star in our Milky Way that died 6,500 light-years away. Astronomers and careful observers saw the supernova in the year 1054.
A supernova is the explosion of a star. It is the largest explosion that takes place in space. Where Do Supernovas Take Place? Supernovas are often seen in other galaxies. But supernovas are difficult to see in our own Milky Way galaxy because dust blocks our view.