ISRO’s AstroSat detects rare nuclear explosions in Andromeda Galaxy Ultraviolet emissions observed from 42 novae during outbursts Four novae observed erupting in real time using UVIT data Advertisement For the first time, far-ultraviolet emissions from novae—massive thermonuclear explosions on stars—have been identified during their outbursts in the Andromeda galaxy. This discovery was reported in The Astrophysical Journal, based on data from the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) aboard India's AstroSat satellite. According to the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru, ultraviolet emissions from 42 novae were identified, including fo companion star. This accumulation eventually triggers thermonuclear rur observed during their eruption. Novae are known to occur in binary star systems, where a white dwarf draws matter from itseactions, causing a sudden and intense burst of brightness. As per reports, observations made with UVIT allowed researchers to track accretion disks—regions of accumulated material around the white dwarf. Judhajeet Basu, the lead researcher and a PhD student at IIA, stated to India Today Science Desk that these disks provide vital insights into the processes preceding a nova eruption. Details of the Observation Periods of dimming, described as a “calm before the storm,” were also recorded during the study. Researchers observed that the accumulated material temporarily acts as a shell, blocking radiation before a thermonuclear explosion occurs. This explosion ejects matter into space and dramatically increases the system's brightness.