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General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: sam on March 21, 2010, 21:10

Title: Unprecedented Eruption Catches Astronomers By Surprise
Post by: sam on March 21, 2010, 21:10

Quote

An alert was raised March 11 when Japanese amateur astronomers announced what might have been the discovery of a new 8th magnitude nova in the constellation of Cygnus. It was soon realized that this eruption was not what it appeared to be. It was actually the unexpected nova-like eruption of a known variable star, V407 Cygni. Typically varying between 12th and 14th magnitude, V407 Cyg is a rather mundane variable star. So what caused this well-behaved star to suddenly go ballistic?

http://www.universetoday.com/2010/03/21/unprecedented-eruption-catches-astronomers-by-surprise/

Title: Re: Unprecedented Eruption Catches Astronomers By Surprise
Post by: Simon on March 21, 2010, 22:41

Great pic!  :)

Title: Re: Unprecedented Eruption Catches Astronomers By Surprise
Post by: sam on March 21, 2010, 22:49

yeah as artists impressions go it aint bad.

I'm lecturing High Energy Astrophysics this week - filling in - and I'm going to be talking about the mechanism that drives this sort of explosion, Roche Lobe overflow and He flash burning. I could give you all my notes but something says you'll be bored after about a page of maths - the students are gonna love me  :devil:

Title: Re: Unprecedented Eruption Catches Astronomers By Surprise
Post by: Clive on March 21, 2010, 23:03

 ;D  Cygnus is not well placed for observing at this time of year but at magnitide 8 the nova would be an easy binocular object if you knew exactly where to look!  On a clear night you can see the outline of the Milky Way running through this well defined summer constellation. 

Title: Re: Unprecedented Eruption Catches Astronomers By Surprise
Post by: sam on March 21, 2010, 23:04

and if you go to a proper dark site then it won't be a problem to see the galaxy.