The Astrology of Space - Matrix Software

The Astrology of Space
Novae: Exploding Stars
The Explosive or Cataclysmic Variable, in which the
star undergoes some sort of explosion, has fascinated
mankind for centuries. An otherwise apparently
normal looking star will suddenly brighten, reach a
maximum, and then fade away in a more gradual
manner. In general, the cataclysmic variable stars are
divided into three groups on the basis of the intensity
of the explosion or outburst: Dwarf Novae, Novae and
Recurrent Novae, and the Supernovae.
The normal novae are brighter still than either the
dwarf or the recurrent novae, and more common.
More than 100 novae have been observed in our
galaxy in the last one hundred years. It is estimated
that about 25 novae brighter than 9th magnitude
occur in our galaxy each year; although all are not
visible due to either their intrinsic faintness or daytime
skies.
Novae are designated by constellation and year of
appearance. Novae Aquilae 1918 was the brightest
seen this century. Most novae have an average range
of 13 magnitudes or, in other words, an increase in
brightness by a factor of 160,000 within a period of
several days. The absolute visual or photographic
luminosity at maximum can range as high as a million
times that of the Sun. Novae may decline rapidly from
peak luminosity or fade much more slowly. The novae
that show rapid decline are several magnitudes
brighter than those which decline more gradually.
As mentioned, it is believed that the nova explosion is
confined to a relatively thin layer of the star's
envelope, which expands and makes the star appear
to swell. After this bubble has been blown off, the star
appears little altered in either brightness or color. The
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