Star V838 Monocerotis 08/02/2004 - V838 Monocerotis 02/2004 - This variable star is located approximately...

Star V838 Monocerotis 08/02/2004 - V838 Monocerotis 02/2004 - This variable star is located approximately 20,000 years - light from Earth in the constellation Unicorn. In the beginning of 2002, this star illuminated temporarily becoming one of the brightest stars in the sky. Viewed here in February 2004 by the Hubble space telescope, the light echo shows details in the interstellar dust surrounding the star. In January 2002, a variable star in the Monoceros constellation suddenly became 600,000 times more luminous than our Sun, temporarily making it the brightest star in our Milky Way galaxy. The mysterious star, called V838 Monocerotis, has long since faded back to obscurity. Seen here by Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope on February 8, 2004, the light echo around the star has uncovered details in the interstellar dust round the star