Understanding Today's Crossword Puzzle
The clue for today's crossword puzzle is "Astronomical sightings" and the answer is "NOVAE".
The word "NOVAE" is the plural form of "nova," which refers to a sudden brightening of a star. In astronomy, a nova is an event that occurs in binary star systems, where one star is a white dwarf and the other is a companion star. As the companion star orbits the white dwarf, it transfers material onto its surface. When enough material accumulates, a thermonuclear runaway reaction is triggered, causing a sudden increase in brightness. This phenomenon is known as a nova.
There are different types of novae, such as classical novae and recurrent novae. Classical novae occur when the white dwarf reaches a critical mass and undergoes a thermonuclear explosion. Recurrent novae are those that have more than one outburst, with a relatively short period between eruptions.
Novae are fascinating astronomical events that astronomers study to understand the life cycle of stars and the processes that occur within binary star systems. They serve as important indicators of stellar evolution and have contributed to our knowledge of the universe.
So, the answer to the clue "Astronomical sightings" is "NOVAE" because novae are indeed remarkable celestial events that astronomers observe and study in the field of astronomy.
More Answers:
- NOVAE
- COMETS
The Crossword clue "Astronomical sightings" published 10 time/s & has 2 answer/s.
Crossword | Date | Answer |
Wall Street Journal | 23 August 2022 | NOVAE |
Thomas Joseph – King Feature Syndicate | 18 August 2022 | COMETS |
Newsday.com | 8 December 2017 | NOVAE |