Nova Scuti 2018 (or N Sct 2018, for short) was discovered by prolific nova finder Yukio Sakurai of Japan on June 29, 2018. His discovery image at 13:50:36 UT showed the nova shining at magnitude 10.3 (unfiltered CCD magnitude), using only a 180-mm f/2.8 lens plus a Nikon D7100 digital camera. One of his many discoveries is named after him: Sakurai’s Object.
What is a nova? A classical nova is a close binary star system that includes a white dwarf and a “normal” star. The white dwarf siphons material off the other star until a critical density and temperature is reached in the atmosphere of the white dwarf, and a thermonuclear detonation occurs.
Nova Scuti 2018 will eventually receive a variable star designation (V507 Sct?). Here are some typical nova light curves.
Nova Scuti 2018 is located fortuitously close to the 4.7-magnitude star Gamma (γ) Scuti.
Scutum Region (Source: Voyager 4.5)Gamma Scuti Region (Source: Guide 9.1)
Here is a time sequence of images I’ve acquired of Nova Scuti 2018. Comparing with the star chart above, can you find the nova?
