SN 185

Supernova SN 185
	Infrared images from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and WISE are combined with X-ray data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and ESA's XMM-Newton Observatory in this image of RCW 86.
Event type	Supernova remnant, supernova
	Type Ia?
Date	7 December 185
Constellation	Circinus and Centaurus
Right ascension	14h 43m
Declination	−62° 30′
Epoch	J2000
Galactic coordinates	G315.4−2.3
Distance	2,800 pc (9,100 ly)
Remnant	Shell
Host	Milky Way
Notable features	Ancient records of SN 185 may be the earliest written description of a supernova.
Peak apparent magnitude	"as much as -8"
Other designations	SN 185, SNR G315.0-02.3, SNR G315.4-02.3, 1ES 1436-62.4, 1RXS J144254.3-622815, 3FHL J1443.0-6227e, AJG 27, 3A 1438-626, GPS 1438-624, MSH 14-6-03, 2FHL J1443.2-6221e
Preceded by	None known
Followed by	SN 386
	[edit on Wikidata]

SN 185 was a transient astronomical event observed in the year AD 185, likely a supernova. The transient occurred in the direction of Alpha Centauri, between the constellations Circinus and Centaurus, centered at RA 14^h 43^m Dec −62° 30′, in Circinus. This "guest star" was observed by Chinese astronomers in the Book of Later Han (后汉书),^[3] and might have been recorded in Roman literature.^[2] It remained visible in the night sky for eight months. This is believed to be the first supernova for which records exist.

^ Cite error: The named reference Volk was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ ^a ^b Stothers, Richard (1977). "Is the Supernova of A.D. 185 Recorded in Ancient Roman Literature?". Isis. 68 (3): 443–447. doi:10.1086/351822. JSTOR 231322. S2CID 145250371.
^ Zhao FY; Strom RG; Jiang SY (2006). "The Guest Star of AD185 Must Have Been a Supernova". Chinese Journal of Astronomy and Astrophysics. 6 (5): 635–40. Bibcode:2006ChJAA...6..635Z. doi:10.1088/1009-9271/6/5/17.