From the April 2010 issue

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.
By | Published: April 26, 2010 | Last updated on May 18, 2023

Supernova 1987A
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.