Neon sign outside a motel (4)

I believe the answer is:

nova

(Other definitions for nova that I've seen before include "Star that ejects a cloud, thus becoming brighter" , "Star showing a sudden temporary increase in brightness" , "Faint star that suddenly flares into brightness and then fades again" , "Suddenly expanding star" , "Kind of star" .)

I've seen this clue in The New York Times.

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