• Key Information

  • V838 Monocerotis

  • Type
    Star System (binary)
  • Diameter
    328,538,880 to 403,756,992 miles
  • Distance
    19,200 light years
  • Temperature
    5,300 °F
  • Star Type
    M7.5I -> M5.5I + B3V
  • Date of Discovery
    6 January, 2002
  • Learning Point
  • The star system V838 Monocerotis appeared in 2002 after the unknown star suddenly brightened, with a light echo reflecting off nearby gas and dust. It was the the first of a class of stars called luminous red novae, and has been observed closely ever since.
  • Project
  • Draw V838 Monocerotis and its light echo.
  • Location
  • Located in
    Monoceros constellaton, within the Milky Way
  • Fun Facts
  • One theory as to why the star suddenly brightened is that two stars within the star system (thought to have been three before) merged.
  • At its peak brightness, it became 15,000 times brighter than our Sun.
  • A light echo is when the light reflects off nearby nebula, and, being closer to us, appears before the brightening of the star does.