All that remains of the oldest documented example of a supernova, called RCW 86, is seen in this image, a combination of data from four different space telescopes to create a multi-wavelength view, released by NASA October 24, 2011. – Reuters Photo

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida: Astronomers finally know why the first documented supernova was super-sized.

The exploded star was observed by the ancient Chinese in the year 185, and visible for eight months. It was later found to be a bigger-than-expected supernova remnant, 8,000 light years away.

New observations in the infrared show the explosion took place in a cavity in space. The cavity allowed the stellar shrapnel to shoot faster and farther out into the universe.

The star – similar to our sun – died peacefully and turned into a dense white dwarf. It sucked up material from another star, and then exploded in a supernova.

NASA announced the findings Monday. Four space telescopes were used in the study.