Scientists finally solve centuries-long mystery of star that disappeared 14 days after its discovery

Mapping the cosmos as we see it from Earth is a never-ending job, but one of the nice things about stars is that they tend to hang around for quite a while. That's why when, in 1437, Korean astronomers first spotted a new star in a familiar constellation they were puzzled, but prepared to accept it as yet another feature of the night sky. Then, two weeks later, it was gone. A newly discovered star completely disappearing into the blackness of space isn't something happens every day -- or hardly ...