Could 'old' novae be cometary outbursts?

Here's an idea ...

A number of people have compared the flare-up of 17P/Holmes to a "nova" -- as if one has erupted on the scene in Perseus.

Historically, could some of the ancient records of novae really be sightings of a distant comet that has surged in brightness? We are talking the historic Chinese and Far Eastern chronicles rather than observations since medieval times.

Some of the novae sightings are pretty cursory and there's no real indication how long they were visible. Positional measurements in the sky seem to ignored many cases -- at best, we just get details of which constellation the object was spotted in. Supernovae. however, were considered much more remarkable to those celestial court scribes (obviously!).

Any thoughts???????

John

A good point John, but I think that even people in those days could readily see changes in the positions of 'guest' stars in those days, surely some motion would be detected naked eye over a period of time, even if it was quite small, and yes, they may have been ignored simply because they did not understand at what they were looking at.

But I think there could be no doubt that some historic 'nova' sightings could be a genuine outburst like this one...i'll guess we will never know.

Good point though....

Keith..

Here's an idea ...

A number of people have compared the flare-up of 17P/Holmes to a "nova" -- as if one has erupted on the scene in Perseus.

Historically, could some of the ancient records of novae really be sightings of a distant comet that has surged in brightness? We are talking the historic Chinese and Far Eastern chronicles rather than observations since medieval times.

Some of the novae sightings are pretty cursory and there's no real indication how long they were visible. Positional measurements in the sky seem to ignored many cases -- at best, we just get details of which constellation the object was spotted in. Supernovae. however, were considered much more remarkable to those celestial court scribes (obviously!).

Any thoughts???????

John

I'd imagine that they would get recorded as new planets. They were experts at recording position so it would be obvious to them that the interloper was different to most, in that this interloper moved. You have to wonder how rare these events are.

Mind you, when I was out observing last night I couldn't help but think to my self "so this is what a nova is like". Seeing a strange star warping a constellation you know is a very odd feeling.

Bart.

*Posts split from the New Naked Eye Comet - 17/P Holmes thread to make its own topic*

I guess it comes doen to the likelyhood of it happening.
Are naked-eye novae more common than naked-eye cometary?

Are naked-eye novae more common than naked-eye cometary?

Michael, as an avid nova hunter I can easily say that there still would be a better chance of seeing a naked eye comet instead of a naked eye nova. Naked eye novae don't come around too often, and either do naked eye comets, but I find looking back over the years, the comets win out...

Keith..