What is special about star V838?
Table of Contents
What is special about star V838?
The star brightened to about a million times solar luminosity and absolute magnitude of −9.8, ensuring that at the time of maximum V838 Monocerotis was one of the most luminous stars in the Milky Way galaxy. The brightening was caused by a rapid expansion of the outer layers of the star.
What is the most likely explanation for the light echo produced by V838?
We only see light “echoing” when it bounces off an object in space much larger than a canyon on Earth. The light echo produced by V838 Mon occurred when light from the star bounced off rings of dust surrounding the star. After bouncing off the dust, the light then traveled to Earth.
Is V838 Monocerotis a supernova?
Evolution of the light echo around V838 Monocerotis. Credits: NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. Astronomers observed that the light intensity of this star resembled a nova — an explosive star that’s not quite as cataclysmic as a supernova.
What is the unicorn constellation called?
Monoceros, (Latin: “Unicorn”) constellation in the northern sky at about 7 hours right ascension and on the celestial equator in declination. Its brightest star is Alpha Monocerotis, with a magnitude of 3.9. This constellation contains R Monocerotis, a young star immersed in a nebula.
What type of nebula is V838 Monocerotis?
The light echo around the star V838 Monocerotis as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope in November 2005….About the Object.
Name: | V838 Mon |
---|---|
Type: | Milky Way : Star : Type : Variable : Nova Milky Way : Nebula : Appearance : Reflection : Light Echo |
Distance: | 20000 light years |
Constellation: | Monoceros |
Category: | Nebulae |
What is the size of V838 Monocerotis?
164.27 million miV838 Monocerotis / Radius
How far is V838 Monocerotis?
19,900 light yearsV838 Monocerotis / Distance to Earth
V838 Monocerotis is a red variable star also known as Nova Monocerotis 2002, located in the constellation Monoceros. The star lies at a distance of around 20,000 light years from Earth.
Does light have an echo?
Light possesses the same properties as sound and thus can also produce echoes. However, since the speed of light is fantastically greater than the speed of sound, spaces as tiny as an aircraft hangar would not give rise to a noticeable light delay.
Why is the constellation called Gemini?
The name ‘Gemini’ is Latin for twins, and refers to Castor and Pollux in classical mythology. Their mother was Leda, but they had different fathers. Castor was the son of Tyndareus, king of Sparta, while Pollux was the son of Zeus.
Is there a narwhal constellation?
Monoceros (Greek: Μονόκερως, “unicorn”) is a faint constellation on the celestial equator. Its definition is attributed to the 17th-century Dutch cartographer Petrus Plancius….Monoceros.
Constellation | |
---|---|
List of stars in Monoceros | |
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 2 |
Brightest star | β Mon (3.76) |
Messier objects | 1 |
What type of star is V838 Monocerotis?
red variable star
Are there echoes in space?
In space, echoes are produced when light does the bouncing. Just as sounds can echo, so, too, can cosmic light. But instead of ricocheting off damp cavern walls, light traveling through the universe bounces off soft, dusty clouds. Sometimes, this happens after an explosive event such a supernova.
How are echoes caused?
This phenomenon is called an echo, which has its origins in the Greek ekho, meaning “sound.” An echo happens when a sound wave reflects off a surface, such as the water at the bottom of a well, and the sound is repeated back to you.
Is there a constellation of a unicorn?
What does the Unicorn constellation look like?
Monoceros (Greek: Μονόκερως, “unicorn”) is a faint constellation on the celestial equator. Its definition is attributed to the 17th-century Dutch cartographer Petrus Plancius. It is bordered by Orion to the west, Gemini to the north, Canis Major to the south, and Hydra to the east.