noun
nova
NOH-vuh/ˈnəʊvə/
A star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then fades.
The second telescope view shows the nova shining much brighter.
Etymology
Latin novus supplied the description “new” in “new star.” A star’s sudden brightening made it appear newly present or previously unknown, giving this astronomical event its name.
In context
so first you could just barely see it and then all of a sudden it became a nova
More examples
- Astronomers observed the nova as it faded.
- The survey detected several novae.
- A nova can briefly become much easier to see.
Forms
nova · novas · novae
Similar words
- supernova
- A different, much more powerful stellar explosion.