[stephenb (Stephen)]

Along with Comet Halley, Horsehead and Pluto, I hold SN1987a as the most memorable astronomical event I have observed and photographed. I recall taking some widefield astrophotos of the SCP the previous week (photo 1) and when the SN appeared the following week I discovered my Olympus OM10 had developed a shutter problem. I recall racing to the local camera shop in Bendigo where they took a fortnight to repair it.

I have three surviving photos of SN1987 (photos 2, 3 & 4): Its brightness peaked in May with an apparent magnitude of about +3 and slowly declined in the months after.

I pointed the scope at SN1987a almost every night to say 'hello' to it.

My estimates on that April 2nd night have SN1987a at magnitude +3.7. The LMC is clearly seen in a 2-7 o'clock position. SN1987a is the brightest star in the centre of field with NGC 2070 (Tarantula Nebula) is the small red object just above.

The three film exposures were taken from Chewton, Australia using an Olympus OM-10, Olympus 18-55mm lens, ISO n/k, 30sec, 02/04/1987. No other image or film details are known.

I have also attached front pages from three magazines at the time:

1. Southern Astronomy's first issue - April/May 1987. This country's first real attempt at a local magazine with an article on the possible demise of the VNG time signal (who remembers using it for occultations etc?)

2. Time Magazine - March 23 1987

3. Sky and Telescope - May 1987

If anyone wants me to scan the articles I am more than happy to post them as long as there are no copyright issues.