Mystery Solved Astronomy

Enigmatic 17th century nova wasn’t a nova at all

It was a rare stellar crash, researchers find

Chart of Nova Vul 1670

FOOLS THE EYE  The position of Nova Vul  (red circle) within the swan constellation was charted in the journal Philosophical Transactions in 1670.

Royal Society

By Helen Thompson

- More than 2 years ago

In 1670, European astronomers were all talking about a hot “new” star near the head of the swan constellation, Cygnus.