'Dead star' erupts for big show

[Rick]

Scientists are studying the violent outburst of a dead star as it tries to fire back into life.

The white dwarf star in the Ophiuchus constellation has exhausted its own nuclear fuel but is now stealing it from a neighbouring giant.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4885700.stm

[Mike]

I am at work so can't check any charts - Does anyone know if this star is visible from our night sky at the moment? If so, it might be a nice image for the CCD Imagers amongst us to try and get? A before and after image would be great.

OK, the gauntlet has been thrown down !!

[JohnP]

This would be tough for me to get from my garden... The constellation rises in the East approx 11.30pm & by approx' 4.30am the middle of the constellation is only about 36deg altitude at 170 deg azimuth - It's quite a large constellation & some of it barely reaches 11 deg above the horizon. I don't know the exact coords of the star so can't check precisely where it is...

John

[JohnP]

I think I found it - It's designated RS Ophiuchi:

Apparent RA: 17h 50m 33.78s
Apparent Dec: -6° 42' 49.1"

Still too hard from garden....


Cheers,  John