A Star Could Explode Anytime Now: Don’t Miss This Once-in-a-Lifetime Event

Astronomers around the globe are eagerly waiting for a rare celestial event this summer. A star is expected to explode in the sky, and Earth will have a prime view of this spectacular event.

The star in question is T Coronae Borealis, also known as the “Blaze Star.” It is predicted to undergo a nova explosion.

A nova explosion is a sudden and powerful increase in a star’s brightness, caused by a thermonuclear explosion on the surface of a white dwarf star. This happens in a binary star system, where a white dwarf star is close to a companion star.

This particular binary star system is located in the constellation Corona Borealis. It is one of only five known recurring novae in our galaxy, making this upcoming eruption a truly special event. In this system, a red giant star and a white dwarf orbit each other. (Photo: NASA)

What is T Coronae Borealis?

T Coronae Borealis is made up of a white dwarf and a red giant star. The white dwarf has been collecting hydrogen from its companion star, and it is now reaching a critical mass that will trigger a thermonuclear explosion.

In 2023, astronomers noticed that T Coronae Borealis was dimming, a sign that usually comes before an eruption. Based on the pattern seen during its last nova in 1946, experts believe the explosion will happen between now and September 2024.

When the nova occurs, it will be a spectacular but short-lived show for skywatchers. The star is expected to brighten significantly, reaching a magnitude between +2 and +3, similar to the stars in the Big Dipper.

This sudden increase in brightness will make T Coronae Borealis visible to the naked eye for about a week.

The nova’s closeness and brightness offer a unique chance for both professional and amateur astronomers to study the structure and behavior of recurring stellar explosions.

Stargazers can get ready by learning to identify the constellation Corona Borealis, which looks like a small semicircle between the bright stars Arcturus and Vega.

Published By: Sibu Kumar Tripathi Published On: Jul 2, 2024