Captured by Washington-based Nasa's Hubble telescope, the animation spans four years and shows a huge explosion emanating from V838 Monocerotis - a red star located in the constellation Monoceros. A stellar flash like this was unprecedented because supernovas and novas typically expel matter out into space, often obscuring them from view. While the animation appears to show V838 expel material into space, what it is actually showing is an outwardly moving 'light echo' of the bright flash - about a million times solar luminosity. Scientists still don't know what caused the explosion.
Researchers at Melbourne University found that by wrapping their bodies round cool tree trunks, the animals can stop themselves overheating.
Invented by a French jet ski champion, the £1,600 device (pictured) looks like a wakeboard attached to a hose. Back To The Future still is pictured bottom left.
10 out of 10 for ingenuity at least: The incredible lengths Chinese students will go to cheat at high-pressure exams
Officials across China have revealed some of the James Bond-style gadgets pupils have been caught with trying to cheat their way through the tough entrance exams. One of the most sophisticated systems involves a button hole camera hidden in a pen (top left), which is used to take pictures of exam questions. The images are then beamed out of the exam hall using a mobile phone hooked up to a copper antenna (top right) and are picked up by someone outside the hall with a receiver (bottom left). They look up the answer, then relay it back to the student through a hidden earpiece (bottom right).
Why World Cup 2014 will be most high-tech tournament yet: Smart balls, frozen shirts and vanishing free-kick lines combine for the ultimate digital sporting event
A host of new technologies have been unveiled for Brazil World Cup 2014 (top left). Kicking off today, the tournament will welcome a number of innovations. MailOnline takes a look at these technology, including a frozen vest (top left)) that keeps players cool in the heat, the latest technology in their boots (bottom left) and spray-on lines for free kicks (bottom right).
Engage warp drive! Nasa reveals latest designs for a Star Trek-style spacecraft that could make interstellar travel a reality
A Nasa scientist in Houston has revealed the latest designs for a warp ship (pictured left). The interstellar spacecraft builds on previous designs to allow distant travel. Called the IXS Enterprise, it is similar to the Star Trek ship of the same name (inset). Dr White said the spacecraft could reach Alpha Centauri in two weeks. Warp travel is the focus of the 2014 movie Interstellar.
What colour can YOU see? Dizzying optical illusion creates a different shade for every viewer - but no-one knows why
Some people see green, others see yellow and a few see red - but exactly why this is the case has baffled scientists for decades. The illusion is named Benham's top after Essex-born toymaker Charles Benham, who first created it. One theory about why people see different colours is that the receptors in the human eye respond at different rates to red, green, and blue. Benham's top is currently being researched for use as a diagnostic tool for diseases of the eye.
Inside the cockpit of the car that could reach 1,000mph: Interactive image lets you explore the supersonic Bloodhound
The cockpit (pictured left) of the supersonic Bloodhound SSC car (pictured bottom right) has been unveiled, which aims to break the land speed record in the South African desert in 2015. It took 10,000 hours to design and manufacture and is made from layers of carbon fibre. The whole structure weighs 441lbs (200kg) and has to be strong to withstand huge forces exerted on it during the record attempt. Driver Andy Green (pictured top right) will use the controls in a bid to become the first person in history to hit 1,000mph (1,606kph) on land.
- Great scott! £1,600 hoverboard flies through the air using a high-powered jet of water
- Tesla boss Elon Musk gives away firm's electric car secrets in bid to boost market
- Want to get lucky? Head to South London at 10pm on a Thursday: Heat maps reveal when and where single people are most likely to find a date across Europe
- World Cup fever hits the ISS: Astronauts show off their microgravity football skills in SPACE
- A game of two names: Historians reveal why America calls the game that the rest of the world calls football 'soccer' - and find the British are to blame
- Could giant oceans under the surface of Pluto's moon harbour alien life? Giant cracks on Charon hint at once warm tidal seas
- Will Apple's next iPad have a smart cover that can show you messages even when it is closed?
- Is your internet connection fast enough? regulator launches probe into online traffic jams following Netflix complaints
- Chihuahuas do more damage than any other breed of dog - and if you want a quiet life you should get a Staffie
- Facebook backtracks on breastfeeding picture policy and tells mothers their images are 'natural and beautiful'
- Revealed: The James Bond-style gadgets used by under-pressure Chinese students desperate to pass their exams including radio vests, pin-hole cameras and earpieces
- Are bike sharing schemes leading to a major rise in head injuries? Researchers call for helmets to be given to riders following rise in accident risk
- The smart cup that knows exactly what you're drinking - and tells you how many calories it contains (and when you've had enough alcohol)
- Google to get in shape: Firm set to announce fitness app in bid to beat Apple in hi-tech tracking battle
- Saying like, is, like, so clever: Far from being a sign of low intelligence, overusing the word may show thoughtfulness
- Is Aaron Paul messing with your Xbox? Advert starring the Breaking Bad actor is blamed for switching on Microsoft consoles
- Want to make your meetings more productive? Chuck out the chairs and stand, say scientists
VIDEO GAMES
THIS WEEK'S TOP TEN VIDEO GAMES
Discovered: The evidence that the A1 is TEN THOUSAND YEARS old
The Mesolithic settlement (pictured bottom right) was unearthed beside the modern A-road (top left) near Catterick in North Yorkshire. Flint tools (top right) dating to between 6000 and 8000 BC have also been found. Archaeologists have focused their efforts on known Roman settlements located close to Britain's longest road before a section of the A1 is widened between Leeming and Barton. They have also recovered a number of Roman artefacts including a striking bowl (bottom left).
Will Apple's iPad Air 2 be the most secure tablet EVER? Flagship device set to have a fingerprint scanner and better privacy tools
The next generation iPad Air (first generation pictured left) is set to build on the success of Apple's iPhone 5S (bottom right). For example, the California company (logo top right) is expected to use the device's fingerprint technology on future tablets and phones. Next-generation tablets will also feature iOS 8's improved security features. The iPad Air 2, which is rumoured for an October release, could additionally have an upgraded 8MP camera, and an improved A8 processor said to be 50% faster than its predecessor.
GADGET REVIEWS
SMARTPHONES? IT'S YOUR CALL
The ultimate non-iPhone smartphone guide...
Talk time: 9.5hr (7hr playback, 55hr music)
Spec: 3.7in (800x480 pixels) AMOLED screen, 16GB, 1.4GHz Windows Mango, 8MP camera, 720p HD video
Verdict: This combination works wonderfully. It's a pleasure to use and Nokia's Drive GPS app is impressive. We've rated these iPhone alternatives from Ace down to Five - and the Nokia is at the head of the pack.
Talk time: 8.5hr
Spec: Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 4.65in (720x1,280) AMOLED screen, 5MP camera, 1080p video, 16GB memory
Verdict: It's got a beautiful screen, intuitive operating system and cool features like face-recognition security, but battery life doesn't quite match the hype.
Talk time: 6hr 50min
Spec: Windows Phone 7.5 Mango, 1.5GHz, 4.7in (480x800) screen, 16GB, 8MP camera, 720p HD video
Verdict: The Titan is slim, light and has the largest screen on any Windows device. Shame they didn't give it better screen resolution.
Talk time: 4hr
Spec: Android 2.3 Gingerbread, 1 GHz, 4.3in (800x480) screen, 8MP camera, 1080p HD video, 8GB memory
Verdict: The sharp lines and thin bezel give a professional look while the monochrome interface screams class. One for the fashionistas.
Talk time: 5hr 20min
Spec: BlackBerry 7 OS, 1 GHz, 2.45in (480x360) screen, 5MP camera, VGA video, 8GB memory
Verdict: Beautifully made and with a battery life most handsets would kill for, but the OS is limiting and even with its touch screen it can't compete.
Talk time: 7hr 35min
Spec: Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread, 1.4GHz, 4.2in (854x480) screen, 1GB internal, 8GB MicroSD memory (included), 8.1MP camera, 720p HD video
Verdict: Motorola take note, this is how you do slim and sexy. The camera is let down by a poor menu and awful shutter button, but Sony's social media widget 'Timescale' is a time-saving stroke of genius.
Talk time: 10hr
Spec: Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread, dual-core 1.2 GHz processor, 4.3in Super AMOLED (540x960) screen, 8MP camera, Full HD video, 16GB
Verdict: Light and impossibly thin, but even with its rigid Kevlar frame it feels limp and lopsided in the hand. Shame, as the screen is exceptional and the interface is bursting with neat tricks including the ability to resize the icons you use most.
Talk time: 4hr 30min
Spec: Android 2.3 Gingerbread, 800MHz processor, 3.5in (800x480) screen, 5MP camera, 512 MB internal memory, 2GB microSD card (included)
Verdict: Never going to induce envy but if you want smartphone functionality without budget busting it's hard to fault. Navigation is intuitive; battery life excellent.
Talk time: 4hr
Spec: Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS, 3.5in (800x480) screen, 5MP camera, 800MHz processor, 512MB memory, 2GB microUSB card, GPS
Verdict: The Vivacity is essentially the San Francisco II with iPhone looks, and while it lacks the fluidity of its more expensive cousins, you can get app-happy on a budget.
Talk time: 4hr 30min
Spec: Android 2.2 Froyo, 2.8in (240x320) screen, 2MP camera, 130MB memory, 2GB microSD card
Verdict: It might be cheap, small and pocketable but as a smartphone it's cramped, slow and the minuscule memory limits the number of apps.
Massachusetts is the 'smartest state' and Mississippi has the lowest IQ: Maps reveal intelligence levels across the US based on tweets
EXCLUSIVE: Californian real-estate group, Movoto, has created a series of 3D interactive maps showing reading level and IQ by state based out Twitter feedback. The study found most intelligent states are Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Vermont and Minnesota. The states with the lowest IQ were found to be Mississippi, Alabama, New Mexico, Louisiana and California. Pictured is a map showing reading results based on state Twitter feeds. The worst performing areas are shown in dark blue, average results are in green and the highest scores are in yellow.
Shear genius! Bladeless razor concept uses PAPER CUTS to remove facial hair
Designed by San Francisco-based Nadeem Haidary (pictured), the razor concept is constructed entirely out of a sheet of water-resistant paper that can be recycled after use. Like multi-blade razors, the Paper Cut Razor has three slits that the designer believes could act like metal blades. Haidary envisions selling these razors as a flat pack with users having to put them together by making a few origami folds.
Watch the World Cup in LIFESIZE action: 370 inch world's biggest TV is as big as a goal but costs $1.7million
London-based manufacturer Titan has launched the world largest television to watch the World Cup in 4k definition. Named Zeus, the television is eight meters by five meters, or 370 inches, which is around the size of a football goal. It features 65 billion colors and weighs almost a tonne. The TV can also be controlled via gestures, with users able to change the channel with a simple wink.
All around the world... and beyond
British photographers Fiona Rogers and Anup Shah captured apes in Indonesia and Borneo - and highlighted how human our evolutionary cousins are.