By using that speed and calculating backward, the researchers determined that the nebula would fit a supernova that exploded around 1181.
The team found that Pa30 formed from a rare and relatively faint type of supernova, called a 'Type Iax supernova.' "Only around 10% of supernovae are of this type and they are not well understood!Scientists also found that Parker's star, one of the hottest stars in the Milky Way, is also a likely counterpart to the supernova.The nebula and the star are thought to be the result of a massive collision and subsequent merger of two dim stellar corpses known as white dwarfs. .
"This is the only Type Iax supernova where detailed studies of the remnant star and nebula are possible," Ziljlstra added.Follow Doris Elin Urrutia on Twitter @salazar_elin.