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Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
A 'new star' has exploded into the night sky — and you can see it from North America
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A "new star" is shining in the constellation Lupus thanks to an unexpected stellar explosion within the Milky Way — and it can currently be seen with the naked eye from parts of North America. On June 12, astronomers from the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae at Ohio State University first spotted the new point of light, which had an apparent magnitude of +8.7 at the time, still too dim to be seen by the naked eye, Sky & Telescope originally reported. (A smaller magnitude signifies a brighter object; for example, the moon has an apparent magnitude of -12.7). Over the next few days, the rapidly brightening object took on several temporary names — including AT 2025nlr, ASASSN-25cm, and N Lup 2025 — as researchers scrambled to determine its identity. Astronomer Yusuke Tampo, from the South African Astronomical Observatory at the University of Cape Town, then analyzed the light coming from the object and determined that it is likely a classical nova — a massive stellar explosion that temporarily shines bright in the night sky. On June 16, it was given the official designation V462 Lupi. By June 18, V462 Lupi had brightened to an apparent magnitude of +5.7, which makes it just visible to the naked eye. This also makes it around 4 million times brighter than its extremely dim progenitor star was before June 12, according to Related: Nearly 900 years ago, astronomers spotted a strange, bright light in the sky. We finally know what caused it. There is a chance that the nova will continue to brighten in the coming days, making it even easier to spot. The Lupus constellation is located in the southern sky, meaning that V462 Lupi is most easily visible from the Southern Hemisphere. However, it can also be seen from North America, close to the southern horizon, just after sunset. Amateur astronomers from the U.S. have reported seeing it in places such as Arizona and California, and as far north as Lake Superior, according to Sky & Telescope. You may be able to spot it without any additional equipment. However, it would be easier to spot if you had a decent telescope or a pair of stargazing binoculars, especially if you are viewing it from the U.S. or if the explosion starts to dim over the coming days. Unlike supernovas, which are so powerful that they completely rip stars apart, a nova only affects the outer layer of a star. Classical novas, such as V462 Lupi, occur in a specific type of binary system, where a more massive white dwarf star is pulling material away from its larger partner. When enough material has been accreted onto the dwarf star's surface, the pressure builds up and triggers an explosion that burns up most of the stolen gas and shoots pulses of bright light toward Earth. Naked-eye classical novas are rare. They appear "no more than once a year," representatives wrote, "and most are so close to the limit of naked-eye sensitivity that they can be invisible despite being technically [visible]." RELATED STORIES —Supernova that lit up Earth's skies 843 years ago has a flowering 'zombie star' at its heart — and it's still exploding —Mystery explosion 1,000 years ago may be a rare, third type of supernova —Rare quadruple supernova on our 'cosmic doorstep' will shine brighter than the moon when it blows up in 23 billion years Some novas are also recurring events, blowing their top at regular intervals: For example, the long-awaited T Coronae Borealis nova, also known as the "Blaze Star," lights up our skies roughly every 80 years. However, astronomers have been predicting that the Blaze Star will reappear imminently for the last 15 months, and it is yet to emerge, which shows that it is not an exact science. As this is the first recorded appearance of V462 Lupi, we have no idea if or when it will explode again in the future.
The South African
02-06-2025
- The South African
Where to see the Southern Lights in South Africa this week
South Africa isn't the first place people think of when it comes to the Southern Lights, also known as the Aurora Australis. These stunning natural light displays are more commonly associated with Antarctica, Tasmania, and the southern tips of New Zealand and Chile. But under rare and specific conditions, South Africans can catch a glimpse too – if they know where and when to look. Here's what you need to know about spotting the Southern Lights from South Africa and the best places to try your luck… Yes – but only rarely. The Southern Lights are caused by charged solar particles interacting with Earth's magnetic field. The further south you are, the better your chances. Most of South Africa sits too far north for regular sightings. However, during periods of intense solar activity, like this week, auroras can stretch farther than usual, occasionally lighting up the southern skies over South Africa. These events are rare and unpredictable, but when they happen, they make for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. While no place in South Africa guarantees a view, the following locations are your best bet due to their southern latitude, clear skies, and low light pollution: Why it's good: Sutherland is home to the South African Astronomical Observatory and is famous for its dark skies and dry climate. It's also one of the coldest and most remote towns in South Africa, giving you dark, crisp skies with minimal interference. Why it's good: This is the southernmost point of Africa, making it the closest you can get to Antarctica without leaving the continent. Wide horizons and ocean views also increase your chances of catching low-hanging auroras. Why it's good: Just east of Cape Agulhas, this coastal village offers unobstructed views over the southern ocean. The little town also has very little light pollution and open skies facing directly south. Why it's good: These spots south of Cape Town provide clear, south-facing ocean views and easy access from the city. Higher elevations like Cape Point can give you a wider view of the horizon, improving visibility. Why it's good: High elevation, low light pollution, and wide, open southern horizons make this your top option in the KZN province. You're also looking out over Lesotho and the southern Drakensberg range, away from major light sources. Follow solar weather reports: Use tools like NOAA's Aurora Forecast or apps like My Aurora Forecast. Use tools like NOAA's Aurora Forecast or apps like My Aurora Forecast. Find dark sky locations: Get far from city lights – this makes all the difference. Get far from city lights – this makes all the difference. Use a camera: Sometimes the aurora is too faint for the naked eye but shows up in long-exposure shots. Sometimes the aurora is too faint for the naked eye but shows up in long-exposure shots. Stay patient: You could wait hours and see nothing. Or get lucky in ten minutes. There's no guarantee. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
