History of Nova in Timeline

Novae are astronomical events where a bright, seemingly "new" star appears and gradually fades over time. These events involve white dwarfs in binary star systems. There are various types of novae, including classical novae, recurrent novae (RNe), and dwarf novae, all categorized as cataclysmic variable stars. The sudden brightness is attributed to the white dwarf drawing matter, primarily hydrogen, from its companion star. This accumulated material eventually triggers a thermonuclear explosion on the white dwarf's surface, resulting in the nova's visible outburst.

1933: RS Ophiuchi Eruption

The recurrent nova, RS Ophiuchi, erupted in 1933.

1938: T Coronae Borealis Brightening Event

A brightening event, similar to the one observed in 2015, was reported for T Coronae Borealis in 1938.

1945: T Coronae Borealis Dimming Event

A dimming event, similar to the one observed in 2023, occurred with T Coronae Borealis in 1945.

1946: T Coronae Borealis Outburst

T Coronae Borealis had an outburst in 1946.

1958: RS Ophiuchi Eruption

RS Ophiuchi erupted again in 1958.

1967: RS Ophiuchi Eruption

The recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi erupted in 1967.

August 1975: Bright Nova Cygni 1975

In August 1975, Nova Cygni 1975 appeared in the constellation Cygnus and reached a magnitude of 2.0, making it easily visible to the naked eye.

1985: RS Ophiuchi Eruption

RS Ophiuchi erupted again in 1985.

1989: Theory of Helium Novae Proposed

The theory of helium novae, which lack hydrogen lines in their spectrum, was first proposed in 1989.

2000: First Candidate Helium Nova Observed

In 2000, V445 Puppis was observed, becoming the first candidate helium nova.

2006: RS Ophiuchi Eruption

The recurrent nova, RS Ophiuchi, erupted in 2006.

February 2007: Nova V1280 Scorpii

V1280 Scorpii reached a magnitude of 3.7 in February 2007.

2008: Extragalactic Nova M31N 2008-12a

The extragalactic nova M31N 2008-12a was observed to erupt as frequently as once every 12 months.

2010: Discovery of Gamma Ray Emissions from Novae

In 2010, scientists discovered that novae can also emit gamma rays using NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope.

December 2013: Bright Nova V1369 Centauri

In December 2013, a bright nova, V1369 Centauri, reached a magnitude of 3.3.

December 2013: Nova Centauri 2013 Discovery

Nova Centauri 2013 was discovered in December 2013, becoming the brightest nova of the millennium, reaching a magnitude of 3.3.

February 2015: T Coronae Borealis Begins Brightening

In February 2015, T Coronae Borealis began brightening from a magnitude of 10.5 to about 9.2.

April 2016: T Coronae Borealis Brightening Reported

On April 2016, the Sky & Telescope website reported that T Coronae Borealis had brightened from magnitude 10.5 to about 9.2, beginning in February 2015.