V838 Monocerotis
Also known as V838 Mon
V838 Monocerotis is a cataclysmic binary star in the constellation Monoceros, about 20,010 light-years from Earth.
Star whose 2002 outburst lit up a light echo
Facts
| Type | Cataclysmic binary star (spectral type M10+B3V) |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Monoceros |
| Position (J2000) | 7h 04m 04s, −3° 50′ |
| Distance | 20,010 light-years (its light set off about 20,010 years ago) |
| Studied in | 468 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
V838 Monocerotis is highest in the sky at midnight in January. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 66° above the horizon; from 50° N, to about 36°.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Monoceros
- Christmas Tree Cluster
- Cone Nebula
- Hubble's Variable Nebula
- M50 (NGC 2323)
- Red Rectangle
- Red Rectangle Nebula
- Rosette Nebula
- Seagull Nebula
Everything in Monoceros · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · Data sources & credits