Nova eruption (IMAGE) Graz University of Technology Caption Artistic representation of a nova eruption: During a nova eruption a white dwarf sucks matter from its companion star and stores this mass on its surface until the gas pressure becomes extremely high. Credit © Nova_by K. Ulaczyk, Warschau Universität Observatorium Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.