SN 1006 was a
supernova, widely seen on Earth beginning in the year 1006; the Earth was about 7,200
light years away from the supernova. It was the brightest
apparent magnitude stellar event in recorded history, reaching an estimated −7.5
visual magnitude[3] (over ten times as bright as Venus). First appearing in the constellation of
Lupus between April 30 and May 1, 1006, this "
guest star" was described by observers in China, Japan, Iraq, Egypt, and Europe,
[4] and possibly recorded in
North American petroglyphs