In 1572, a bright ‘new star’ appeared in the constellation of Cassiopeia. In a book published in 1573 Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe (Figures 1 and 2) noted that, for 2 weeks, the new star shone as bright as the planet Venus and was visible in daylight. As it faded, it could be seen at night with the naked eye for about 16 months.
Tycho and others had seen the explosive death of a star, now known as a supernova. Apart from the supernova of 1572, named in honour of Tycho, only a handful have ever been recorded in our own galaxy (in 1006, 1054 and 1610). Another six Milky Way supernovae have been detected by the remains that they left behind.
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