Astronomers Identify 600-Year-Old Missing Guest Star as Nova

In October 1408, during China's Ming Dynasty, court astronomers recorded an unusual celestial phenomenon: a bright yellow object that remained stationary in the sky for over ten nights. Described as "as large as a cup" with a "pure yellow color, smooth and bright," this 'guest star' was significant enough to warrant formal documentation by imperial officials.

For centuries, the identity of this mysterious star remained elusive. However, a recent study led by Boshun Yang at the University of Science and Technology of China uncovered an overlooked official report by Hu Guang, a court official responsible for memorials and poems addressed to the emperor. This document provided a more authentic and detailed account, ruling out earlier doubts about the record's validity.

The report places the object in the southern Niandao asterism, corresponding to the modern constellations Cygnus and Vulpecula. Unlike meteors or comets, which move rapidly, this object stayed fixed and maintained its brightness, characteristics consistent with a nova—a stellar explosion that causes a sudden brightening before fading.

Interestingly, the nova exhibited a "plateau" phase, where its brightness remained steady for an unusually long period. Researchers also noted the subtle political influence on the language used in the record; ancient Chinese astronomers avoided ominous terms to maintain a positive outlook for the emperor, describing the nova as "yellow" and "lustrous" rather than using potentially negative imagery.

This discovery adds the 1408 event to a growing list of ancient Chinese astronomical observations that align with modern astrophysical findings. Like the famous 1054 supernova that created the Crab Nebula, these historical records provide invaluable context and data for contemporary astronomy, demonstrating how human history and cosmic events intertwine across centuries.

By combining meticulous historical research with modern scientific methods, astronomers are not only solving long-standing mysteries but also enriching our understanding of stellar phenomena. This blend of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge technology exemplifies the evolving nature of astronomy and highlights the enduring value of historical records in scientific discovery.