brightest supernova

The brightest supernova in historic records occurred in the constellation Lupus in 1006 AD. From many contemporary observations, its apparent magnitude is estimated to have been about -10, comparable with the Moon. Its position has been identified as corresponding to a supernova remnant known by the catalogue number PKS 1459-41, which emits radio waves and X-rays and has faintly visible filaments. Its estimated distance is 3,260 light years. At maximum brightness, supernovae all reach similar absolute magnitudes, so distance, and the quantity of absorbing dust in the way, are the most important factors in determining the apparent brightness of a supernova. The next brightest supernova after that of 1006 was the 1054 explosion that resulted in the Crab Nebula in Taurus. It reached apparent magnitude -5. Since 1604 there has only been one supernova properly visible to the naked eye - that of 1987 in the Large Magellanic Cloud, which peaked at 2nd magnitude.