A Star Explodes: The Story of Supernova 1054

"Supernovae explosions are relatively rare in our galaxy, and so the few that are recorded in historical documents take on special meaning. This is a story about a supernova that appeared in the year 1054 and the Crab Nebula remnant that was created by that explosion. The supernova of 1054 was one of the brightest supernova events recorded in history. And its remnant, the Crab Nebula, is still studied today. The story begins at the moment of a supernova explosion that occurred roughly 6000 to 6500 years ago. The narrative then travels forward in time to the year 1054, when a young astronomer and the people of the Chinese court see the light of this supernova appear suddenly in Earth's sky. They called this light a 'guest star.' After a couple of years, when the light of the guest star fades, the story takes the reader into deep space to see the remnant of this supernova -- the Crab Nebula -- followed by a continuing trip forward in time. Over the remaining pages, it is revealed that the Chinese "guest star" was the light of that long-ago supernova blast, and that the Crab Nebula is that supernova's remains. At the end of the book, readers are invited to imagine a time when they, too, might see the rare event of a supernova shining in the sky."--