How to Observe the Visible Nova in the Sky Right Now

Key Takeaways

1. A new celestial object named V462 Lupi has been discovered, becoming visible after increasing in brightness to +5.7.
2. V462 Lupi is identified as a classic nova, formed when a white dwarf star accumulates matter from a companion star, leading to a thermonuclear explosion.
3. The brightness of V462 Lupi has significantly increased, making it observable without telescopes; it reached a magnitude of 5.6 on June 21, 2023.
4. V462 Lupi can be seen from northern parts of the U.S. by looking towards the constellation Lupus, despite its southern declination.
5. The constellation Lupus has historical significance, as a supernova in 1006 was documented for its extraordinary brightness and longevity.


Since June 12, a new light source has made its presence known in the sky, discovered by the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN). Although it was too dim at first to see, its brightness has increased over the days, revealing a cosmic event that is both impressive and destructive.

V462 Lupi Emerges

This new celestial object has been given the name V462 Lupi and has now reached a brightness level of +5.7. This means that it can be seen with the naked eye, provided the sky is clear and unobstructed. The source of this light is identified as a classic nova.

In binary systems, these novae happen when a very dense white dwarf star pulls in matter from a companion star. Over time, the material builds up on the white dwarf’s surface, leading to a massive thermonuclear explosion that produces a bright light source traveling through space. Unlike supernovae, which are much more catastrophic and can obliterate their host stars, novae do not destroy the white dwarf. These events can repeat multiple times if the companion star continues to feed the white dwarf.

Increase in Brightness

As a consequence, V462 Lupi has been getting brighter since the explosion. For instance, on June 21 at 2 p.m. (Eastern Time), it hit a magnitude of 5.6, making it visible without the use of telescopes or binoculars.

Sebastián Otero, an observer from the American Association for Variable Stars (AAVSO), notes that its brightness increase is remarkable, especially considering its original magnitude of 22.3.

Don’t worry, even though it has a southern declination of -40°, V462 Lupi can still be seen from the northern parts of the United States. To spot it, direct your gaze toward the constellation Lupus, as shown in Bob King’s image.

Historical Context

This isn’t the first significant event in the constellation Lupus. Back in 1006, a supernova exploded in this area, reaching a brightness of -7 and remaining visible for over three months. This notable occurrence was documented by the medieval Persian philosopher and scientist Avicenna.

In a 1960 discovery, remnants of that cosmic explosion were located using the Chandra telescope, illustrating the magnitude of that event and the devastation it caused to the host star.

Source:
Link

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *