What made supernova 1987A so useful to study?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Supernova 1987A was significant for several reasons: it was the first supernova visible to the naked eye since Kepler's Supernova in 1604, allowing for unprecedented observation with modern telescopes, including the Hubble Space Telescope. Its progenitor star had been identified, providing valuable pre-supernova data. It occurred in the Large Magellanic Cloud, whose distance is well-established, aiding in accurate measurements of the supernova's properties. Additionally, the observation of nickel to iron decay in its light curve provided direct evidence of the nucleosynthesis processes occurring within the supernova, offering insights into the life cycle of stars.

What Made Supernova 1987A So Useful to Study