In the early days of August 2021 the star RS Ophiuchi (abbreviated RS Oph) erupted in the evening sky. At maximum brightness RS Oph reached magnitude 4.5, bringing it within visibility of the unaided eye

We are so fortunate that the little speck of galactic dust we all call home – our Earth – orbits around a somewhat boring little star – our Sun – that does pretty much nothing. Well, nearly nothing but