RS Ophiuchi 2006/2/18 11:57 UT

2006/2/18 11:57 UT (5:57am local time). RS Ophiuchi is a recurrent nova. I caught RS Ophiuchi as it rapidly faded after its explosion a few days ago. RS Ophiuchi was around magnitude 6.3 at the time the photo was taken. The nova is usually at 11th magnitude and last exploded in 1985 to magnitude 5.4. Canon 300D, 15 second, F3.5, ISO 800, histogram stretched. Didn't see it for sure with 7x50 binoculars because of the bright moon nearby. The outside temperature was a balmy -16°F / -27°C in Madison, Wisconsin.