Recurrent Nova RS Ophiuci

Last weeek, the start RS Ophiuci was visible to the naked eye. An occurrence that hasnt happened since 1985. RS Ophiuci is in the constellation Ophiucus and it is type of cataclysmic variable star classified as a recurrent nova. Before its naked eye visibility, RS Ophiuci had a magnitude of 11, barely visible to the naked eye. Since 1898 RS Ophiucus hsa gone through four similar outbursts. The cause of the changing mangitude is due to the fact that it is part of an interacting binary. In the binary system there is a white dwarf star with an expanding red giant star. As the red giant throws off material it falls upon the white dwarf star. Once the buildup becomes great enough the white dwarf will give off a rapid release of energy through nuclear burning. Currently the release of energy is slowly down and RS Ophiucus will return to its magnitude 11.