Kepler's Supernova Blazed Through Daylight

In October 1604, light from a Type Ia supernova appeared in the Milky Way's constellation Ophiuchus, becoming the latest supernova in our galaxy unquestionably observed with the naked eye. At its peak, Kepler's Supernova outshone every star in the night sky and remained visible during daylight for more than three weeks, then stayed visible at night for 18 months. European, Chinese, Korean, and Arabic observers recorded the event, while German astronomer Johannes Kepler tracked it for an entire year and published his findings in 1606. No later supernova has been observed with certainty in the Milky Way.

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