Astronomers have discovered two bright “novae” shining simultaneously in the night sky: V572 Velorum (left) and V462 Lupi (right). It may be the first time that multiple novae have been visible to the naked eye. (Photo credit: Eliot Herman)
A second “nova” has suddenly appeared in the night sky less than two weeks after a nearly identical point of light first appeared without warning.
These previously unseen “stars” are made up of light that comes from rare stellar explosions known as classical novae. Scientists believe this may be the first time in recorded history that more than one of these luminous outbursts has been visible to the naked eye at the same time.
The first nova, dubbed V462 Lupi, was first spotted on June 12 in the constellation Lupus, after its parent star suddenly brightened more than 3 million times its normal brightness. Then, on June 25, several astronomers spotted another nova, dubbed V572 Velorum, in the constellation Vela, according to EarthSky.org. Astronomers typically expect to see a classical nova no more than once a year, and more than one of these outbursts shining at once is almost unheard of.
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Sourse: www.livescience.com
