Deep in a Japanese cave, a star's last moments are detected by signals from Particles which have travelled through 170,000 light years of space, and then through the earth itself.

It was the most important event in any living astronomer's lifetime, because dying stars are central to the life of our universe. So when the supernova appeared in the southern sky last February, the world's astronomers turned every available instrument on to it. This unique international collaboration has given fascinating insights into one of the universe's most violent events.

The programme follows the supernova's story, from its first sighting in Chile to Australia, America and Japan.

(Ceefax subtitles)