A nova is an astronomical phenomenon that occurs in a binary system when a white dwarf strips its companion star of hydrogen-rich gas, causing a thermonuclear runaway reaction on the white dwarf’s surface. The name derives from the sudden brightening that makes it look as though a new star has appeared in the night sky. By contrast, V1405 took 53 days to reach its peak brightness and remained bright for about 200 days. Images taken 2.2 days (left) and 3.2 days (center) after the explosion caused by the nova V1674 Herculis. The first two observations during the peak period showed only a bright central light source and few surrounding ejections.