Novae: Sudden Brightening of Stars

A nova occurs when a white dwarf suddenly brightens, making a faint star flare into view.
The word “nova” means “new star”, since ancient astronomers thought they appeared out of nowhere.
Novae happen in binary systems, where a white dwarf pulls gas from a companion star.
The stolen hydrogen builds up until it ignites in a runaway nuclear explosion.
Unlike a supernova, the white dwarf survives and can repeat the process.
Some stars undergo multiple outbursts, earning the name recurrent novae.
Novae can brighten a star by 10,000 times or more, visible even to the naked eye.
The material blasted off enriches space with elements like nitrogen and carbon.
Historical records of novae go back to Chinese and European skywatchers.
Novae are cosmic reminders that even “dead” stars can spring back to life in dazzling bursts.