vsots

PW Vul (Nova Vulpeculae 1984 No.1)

PW Vul (Nova Vulpeculae 1984 No.1)

The slow nova PW Vul was the first of two galactic classical novae that appeared in the constellation Vulpecula in 1984. M. Wakuda of Japan discovered this nova at photovisual magnitude 9.2 on 1984 July 27.7 UT while it was still brightening. The nova reached a visual maximum of 6.3 mag. on 1984 August 4.1 UT. It then began a gradual decline with strong oscillations of one to two mags (Robb & Scarfe 1995).

V1500 Cyg (Nova Cygni 1975)

The spectacular nova V1500 Cygni burst into the evening sky on August 29, 1975, disrupting the familiar outline of the Northern Cross. Many independent visual discoveries of this magnificent nova were made, particularly Minoru Honda from Kurashiki, Japan, who first discovered the nova at a visual magnitude of 3.0 on August 29th. The nova soared to a peak magnitude of 2.0 the next day, then rapidly faded down 3 mags. in three days, descending a total of 7 mags. in 45 days!

FH Ser (Nova Serpentis 1970)

FH Ser was discovered visually on its rise to maximum by Minoru Honda of Kurashiki, Japan, who observed it at visual magnitude 7.0 on 1970 February 13.860 UT . Honda observed it again two days later, and by this time the nova had brightened to magnitude 5.0. By February 18th it reached its visual maximum of approximately 4.4. A few days later the nova began to fade, at first slowly and then more rapidly with an abrupt drop of 4.4 magnitudes in 45 days (7.4 to 11.8 mag. from April 15 to May 30).

V4641 Sagittarii

This season brings into view some of the most beautiful views of our Milky Way Galaxy for both Northern and Southern Hemisphere observers. In the north, the grand sights of Cygnus grace the entire evening, while in the south, the sublime star fields of Sagittarius and the Galactic center pass directly overhead. Both constellations contain variable stars for observers of all technical and experience levels, whether you're a visual observer, or photographic, photoelectric, or CCD observer.