Astronomy Picture of the Day ·

Startling Star V838 Mon

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for December 5, 2003 is “Startling Star V838 Mon,” an image. It is credited to Credit: Arne Henden ( US Naval Observatory, Flagstaff ) Image Processed by Al Kelly. The original explanation runs about 157 words.

Startling Star V838 Mon
Credit: Arne Henden ( US Naval Observatory, Flagstaff ) Image Processed by Al Kelly Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“Variable star V838 Monocerotis startled astronomers in January of 2002, undergoing a dramatic outburst like no other variable star known.”

— APOD editors, December 5, 2003

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date
December 5, 2003
Type
Image
Credit
Credit: Arne Henden ( US Naval Observatory, Flagstaff ) Image Processed by Al Kelly
Copyright
No copyright notice on the entry. Check the credited institution’s own usage rules before reusing it.
Explanation length
About 157 words

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Source

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.