Cosmic Pyrotechnics: New Planetary Nebula Dazzling Astronomers

Fireflies:
In 2002, astronomers observed the star V838 Monocerotis undergoing what they termed an "outburst." The event might either have been a nova eruption or a merger of a binary star system. Either way, the event is still very much a fixture in the sky, with its light reflecting off an expanding dust cloud.

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