Rare cosmic explosion observed over UAE skies

Nova designated AT 2025nlr discovered in Lupus Constellation

The nova, officially designated AT 2025nlr, was first detected on the evening of June 12 and confirmed on June 14. It appeared as a bright point of light in the Lupus constellation, known in Arabic as Al Sab ("The Seven").

Brightness allows viewing with small telescopes

Currently shining at magnitude 8, the nova is just beyond naked-eye visibility but can be observed with small telescopes in dark-sky areas. Mohammed Shawkat Odeh, director of Al Khatim Observatory, noted its unusual brightness makes it a significant event for both amateur and professional astronomers.

Al Khatim Observatory provides critical observations

Following an urgent request from an international astronomical network, Al Khatim Observatory conducted photometric observations, recording the nova's brightness at 7.7 in infrared, 8.2 in green, and 8.3 in blue. These findings have been sent to global research centers monitoring the event.

What is a Nova?

Unlike supernovae, novae are not star deaths but surface explosions in binary star systems. The eruption occurs when material from one star accumulates on its white dwarf companion, triggering a thermonuclear blast visible from Earth.

Southern location gives Al Khatim strategic importance

Because the nova lies deep in the southern celestial hemisphere, it is not visible from most observatories in Europe and North America, making the role of Al Khatim Observatory vital for continued observation.

Discovery by ASAS-SN Global Sky Survey

The nova was initially discovered by the All Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN), a global project led by Ohio State University. ASAS-SN operates a network of 20 robotic telescopes across both hemispheres, scanning the entire sky daily to detect transient cosmic events such as novae, supernovae, and gamma-ray bursts.