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GK Persei

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GK Persei

GK Persei: Nova of 1901.
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0      Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Perseus
Right ascension 03h 31m 11.82s[1]
Declination +43° 54′ 16.8″[1]
Characteristics
Spectral type Be+K2sdI
Astrometry
Distance1533 [2] ly
(459.9 pc)
Other designations

GK Persei (also Nova Persei 1901) was a bright nova occurring in 1901. It reached a maximum magnitude of 0.2, the brightest nova of modern times until Nova Aquilae 1918. After fading into obscurity at about magnitude 12 to 13 during the early 20th century, GK Persei began displaying infrequent outbursts of 2 to 3 magnitudes (about 7 to 15 times quiescent brightness). Since about 1980, these outbursts have become quite regular, typically lasting about two months and occurring about every three years. Thus, GK Persei seems to have changed from a classical nova like Nova Aquilae 1918 to something resembling a typical dwarf nova-type cataclysmic variable star.

Surrounding GK Persei is the Firework nebula, a nova remnant first detected in 1902 consisting of an expanding cloud of gas and dust bubbles moving up to 1200 km/s.[3]

Nova Persei 1901 was discovered 21 February by Scottish clergyman Thomas David Anderson.[4]

This nova figures in the plot of H. P. Lovecraft's short story "Beyond the Wall of Sleep".

  • Nova Persei 1901
    Nova Persei 1901

References

  1. ^ a b Downes, Ronald; Webbink, Ronald F.; Shara, Michael M. (April 1997), "A Catalog and Atlas of Cataclysmic Variables-Second Edition", Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 109: 345–440, Bibcode:1997PASP..109..345D, doi:10.1086/133900
  2. ^ Nova Persei 1901
  3. ^ "NOAO". NOAO. Retrieved 22 June 2008.
  4. ^ GK Persei

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