|
A nova (plural novae or novas) is a huge nuclear explosion on a white dwarf star. It causes a sudden brightening of the star.
Novae are not to be confused with other brightening phenomena such as supernovae. Novae occur on the surface of a white dwarf in a binary system. If the two stars of the system are close enough, material is pulled from the companion star's surface onto the white dwarf. This collection of hydrogen onto the surface of the star starts a runaway fusion reaction.
 |
|