First HD Nova Images: Stellar Explosions More Complex Than Thought

• Scientists captured the first HD images of stellar explosions (novae), revealing their complex, multi-ejection nature.
• The CHARA array in California used interferometry, similar to black hole imaging, to record these events.
• Studies of two novae showed varied explosion patterns, including rapid fading and delayed material expulsion.
• Novae occur when a white dwarf accretes matter from a companion star, leading to an uncontrolled nuclear reaction.

Why It Matters: HD images of stellar explosions revolutionize understanding of star deaths.