Michael Harry Jones Woodman
Photo reference number: 2410
Newport High School pupil, November 1942 to July 1948
Michael was one of the first people to observe and report the 1946 eruption of the recurrent nova T Coronae Borealis. This rare event occurs when a normally faint star suddenly brightens dramatically, and is thought to repeat roughly every 80 years. Astronomers believe another eruption may be imminent.
On a cold February night in 1946, Michael stayed up late awaiting his father's return from London to their home in Queens Hill Crescent. A keen amateur astronomer, he turned his attention to a usually unremarkable part of the night sky - and noticed an unexpected bright star where none was normally visible.
Although only 15 years old, Michael reported his observation the following morning to the Astronomer Royal, and was delighted to receive a reply. His discovery soon attracted press attention, and the accompanying photograph shows him at his desk at Newport High School.
Michael's son, Nick Woodman, kindly shared this account and photographs. He recalled that his father had hoped to witness the next eruption, expected some 80 years later. Sadly, Michael passed away 80 years and one day after his 1946 sighting. The world now continues to await the next appearance of this remarkable astronomical event.
T Coronae Borealis Nova Animations