T Aurigae
Encyclopedia
T Aurigae was a nova
, which lit up in the constellation
Auriga
in 1892. It reached a brightness of 3.8 mag
and decreased within 100 days by around 3 mag.
Today T Aurigae has a brightness of 15 mag.
It was discovered by Thomas David Anderson
, who later discovered Nova Persei 1901
.
Nova
A nova is a cataclysmic nuclear explosion in a star caused by the accretion of hydrogen on to the surface of a white dwarf star, which ignites and starts nuclear fusion in a runaway manner...
, which lit up in the constellation
Constellation
In modern astronomy, a constellation is an internationally defined area of the celestial sphere. These areas are grouped around asterisms, patterns formed by prominent stars within apparent proximity to one another on Earth's night sky....
Auriga
Auriga (constellation)
Auriga is a constellation in the northern sky. Its name is Latin for 'charioteer' and its stars form a shape that has been associated with the pointed helmet of a charioteer. It was one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and remains among the 88 modern...
in 1892. It reached a brightness of 3.8 mag
Apparent magnitude
The apparent magnitude of a celestial body is a measure of its brightness as seen by an observer on Earth, adjusted to the value it would have in the absence of the atmosphere...
and decreased within 100 days by around 3 mag.
Today T Aurigae has a brightness of 15 mag.
It was discovered by Thomas David Anderson
Thomas David Anderson
Thomas David Anderson was a Scottish amateur astronomer.He was born in Edinburgh. When he was five years old, his father showed him Comet Donati, and his nanny also gave him an interest in astronomy....
, who later discovered Nova Persei 1901
GK Persei
GK Persei was a bright nova occurring in 1901. It reached a maximum magnitude of 0.2, the brightest nova of modern times until Nova Aquilae 1918...
.