Magnitude 15.16 Constellation Hercules | Semimajor axis 0.3 cm Apparent magnitude (V) 15.16 | |
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Similar AM Herculis, AE Aquarii, GK Persei, V1500 Cygni, V603 Aquilae | ||
DQ Herculis (or Nova Herculis 1934) was a slow, bright nova occurring in Hercules in December 1934. The nova was first observed on 13 Dec, 1934, reaching a peak brightness with an apparent magnitude 1.5 on 22 Dec, 1934. The nova remained visible to the naked eye for several months.
DQ Herculis is the prototype for a category of cataclysmic variable stars called intermediate polars. The system shows orbital period variation, possibly due to the presence of a third body.
In Popular Culture
The nova was one of the brightest objects observable in the night sky. In addition to scientific articles, and received significant coverage in popular news publications. Brad Ricca, an English professor at Case Western Reserve University, has suggested that Nova Herculis may have influenced the development of the origin story of the comic book superhero Superman.