Nova

[Sherriann]

A nova (plural novae or novas) is a cataclysmic nuclear explosion on a white dwarf, which causes a sudden brightening of the star. Novae are not to be confused with other brightening phenomena such as supernovae or luminous red novae. Novae are thought to occur on the surface of a white dwarf in a binary system. If the two stars of the system are sufficiently near to one another, material can be pulled from the companion star's surface onto the white dwarf. A nova is caused by the accretion of hydrogen onto the surface of the star, commencing a runaway fusion reaction. [Wikipedia]