S Andromedae: Supernova 1885 in M31

Supernova 1885, also later named S Andromedae (for the second variable to be

discovered in constellation Andromeda), was the first supernova discovered

beyond our Milky Way galaxy, on August 20, 1885, by Ernst Hartwig (1851-1923)

at Dorpat Observatory in Estonia. It reached mag 6 between August 17 and 20,

and it was independently found by several observers. However, only Hartwig

realized its significance. It faded to mag 16 in February 1890.

It is the only supernova to now to have been recorded in the Andromeda galaxy,

M31.

Last Modification: 2 Sep 1998, 20:20 MET