Variable star V838 Monocerotis lies near the edge of our Milky Way Galaxy, about 20,000 light-years from the Sun.
Still, ever since a sudden outburst was detected in January 2002, this enigmatic star has taken the center of an astronomical stage.
As astronomers watch, light from the outburst echoes across pre-existing dust shells around V838 Mon, progressively illuminating ever more distant regions.
