New recurrent nova discovered in Large Magellanic Cloud

Researchers have discovered a unique and extremely hot nova explosion beyond the Milky Way. This event, named LMCN 1968-12a, is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a nearby galaxy. This nova is notable for being the hottest of its kind ever recorded. The discovery marks the first near-infrared analysis of a recurrent nova outside our galaxy. Scientists explain that LMCN 1968-12a experiences violent eruptions that differ significantly from those in our Milky Way. The researchers published their findings in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. A nova occurs when a white dwarf, which is the remnant of a collapsed star, pulls material from a companion star. This process leads to bright flashes of light in the sky. Unlike a supernova, which destroys a star, a nova leaves the original stars intact after its brief but intense brightness fades. LMCN 1968-12a erupts every four years and has been regularly observed since 1990. The most recent eruption took place in August 2024. Follow-up observations using two telescopes in Chile revealed unexpected chemical signatures during the explosion. The analysis showed unusually bright levels of ionized silicon, with brightness much higher than that of the sun. Researchers expected to see more signs of other elements, such as sulfur or calcium, but those were missing, suggesting very high temperatures. Estimates indicate that the gas expelled during the explosion reached 5.4 million degrees Fahrenheit. The different conditions in the Large Magellanic Cloud, which has fewer heavy elements, likely contribute to the intensity of the nova explosions. Researchers believe that studying such novas can improve understanding of the effects of chemical environments in space.