novas
Suddenly brighter stars
Novas is the plural of nova, a star that suddenly increases dramatically in brightness before fading over weeks or months.
The phenomenon occurs when material from a companion star ignites on a white dwarf's surface.
Unlike supernovas, novas don't destroy the star—some recur.
Astronomers have catalogued dozens of novas in our galaxy.
Interstellar gas formation
- galaxyGravitationally bound stellar mass
- quasarLuminous active galactic core
- universeComplete system or domain
- interstellarBetween celestial bodies
astrophysics · astronomy · observatory · telescope · constellation · Milky Way · cosmology · celestial
Exhausted star's compact corpse
- red giantAged star with cooled, expanded envelope
- binary systemNumeration with two values
- stellarOf or like celestial bodies
- fusionJoining into unity
photosphere · luminosity · magnitude · thermonuclear · accretion · outburst · brightening · spectroscopy
Lasting very briefly
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- temporaryLimited in duration
- short-livedLasting only briefly
- fadingGradual loss of intensity
decaying · transitory · outburst · eruption · rapid · sudden · variable · irregular
Emitting or reflecting light
- radiantEmitting light or joy
- brilliantIntensely bright or gifted
- dazzlingOverwhelmingly bright or impressive
- blazingBurning very brightly
flare · brightening · optical · visible · outshining · spectacular · naked-eye
nebula
Interstellar gas formation
- galaxyGravitationally bound stellar mass
- quasarLuminous active galactic core
- universeComplete system or domain
interstellar · astrophysics · astronomy · observatory · telescope · constellation · Milky Way · cosmology · celestial · deep space
white dwarf
Exhausted star's compact corpse
- red giantAged star with cooled, expanded envelope
- binary systemNumeration with two values
- stellarOf or like celestial bodies
fusion · photosphere · luminosity · magnitude · thermonuclear · accretion · outburst · brightening · spectroscopy · ejecta
ephemeral
Lasting very briefly
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- temporaryLimited in duration
- short-livedLasting only briefly
fading · decaying · transitory · outburst · eruption · rapid · sudden · variable · irregular · unpredictable
luminous
Emitting or reflecting light
- radiantEmitting light or joy
- brilliantIntensely bright or gifted
- dazzlingOverwhelmingly bright or impressive
blazing · flare · brightening · optical · visible · outshining · spectacular · naked-eye
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- romance novelistAuthor of love stories
- mystery novelFiction solving a crime
- graphic novelBook-length illustrated sequential narrative
- detective novelFiction solving a crime
- novelty actEntertainment through strangeness
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