Supernova 1987A.
AURA/STScI/NASA
Humanity was always vaguely aware of the Magellanic Clouds’ existence, but a 1987 supernova really shot them up to celebrity status.
Putting the Magellanic Clouds on the map
The closest known supernova in centuries, SN 1987A, focused the public's attention on these little-known satellite galaxies.
