nova – Astronomy Now

Nova in Hercules fades sharply

18 June 2021 Mark Armstrong

The nova spotted in the constellation Hercules on 12 June has faded dramatically but should still be easily visible through a small telescope.

Nova in Hercules brightening fast

14 June 2021 Mark Armstrong

A relatively bright nova was discovered on 12 June in the northern constellation of Hercules (Nova Her 2021) and within just a few hours of its discovery it had brightened by around two magnitudes.

ALMA helps solve an astronomical cold case

10 October 2018 Astronomy Now

Astronomers say an apparent nova that appeared in the constellation Cygnus 348 years ago likely was caused by a collision between a compact white dwarf and a ‘failed star’ known as a brown dwarf.

Giant rings around ‘super Saturn’ exoplanet turn in the wrong direction

12 October 2016 Astronomy Now

Researchers from Japan and the Netherlands who were previously involved in the discovery of an exoplanet with huge rings have now calculated that the giant rings may persist more than 100,000 years — as long as the rings orbit in the opposite direction compared to that of the planet around the star.

Chaotic orbit of Comet Halley explained

1 July 2016 Astronomy Now

Halley’s Comet, officially designated 1P/Halley, is visible from Earth every 75–76 years. Despite this regular return, the comet’s orbit cannot be predicted exactly due to processes inside the comet and its chaotic interaction with the planets and minor bodies in the solar system. A team of Dutch and Scottish researchers has now found an explanation for the chaotic orbital behaviour of 1P/Halley.

First detection of element lithium from an exploding star

1 August 2015 Astronomy Now

The chemical element lithium is predicted to have been created by the Big Bang, 13.8 billion years ago. Observations of Nova Centauri 2013 show that lithium has been found for the first time in material ejected by a nova, helping to explain the mystery of why many young stars seem to have more of this chemical element than expected.

Bright nova in the heart of Sagittarius — still erratically variable

16 March 2015 Ade Ashford

Australian astronomer John Seach discovered a nova in Sagittarius on March 15th that’s still an easy binocular object for Southern Hemisphere observers and a challenge worth attempting in the dawn twilight of southern counties UK.