An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A star that experiences a sudden increase in → luminosity, by a s much as 10⁶. The → outburst ejects a shell of matter but does not disrupt the star.

Etymology (EN): Nova, from L. stella nova “new star,” from stella→ star + nova, fem. of novus→ new.

Etymology (PE): Novâ, from now, → new; now-axtar “new star,” from now, as above,

• axtar, → astro-.