My visual estimate of nova TCP J18102829-2729590 last night was magnitude 8.0 using my trusty Meade LX-90 at 82x magnification. In my light-polluted corner of suburban Adelaide, 7×50 binoculars just aren’t good enough for this.
The third observation from right, three days ago, showed an apparent rapid increase in brightness. For me, one of the attractions of novae is their less than predictable nature.
Looking at the light curve today, my observations look a bit like (purple) buoys bobbing up and down on the surface of an undulating ocean.
Maybe I’m spending too much time looking at novae at the moment. My wife would probably agree with you, even though she’s very understanding. 🙂
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