The white dwarf T Coronae Borealis will shine as bright as the North Star, Polaris for a limited time
The nationwide solar eclipse on April 8 isn’t the only reason to look to the sky in the coming weeks. A star system 3,000 light-years away that last exploded nearly 80 years ago could explode again between now and September, NASA said.
The outburst is what astronomers call a nova. It could be a once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunity, considering an explosion of T Coronae Borealis, or T CrB, last occurred in 1946.
The outburst will be visible for a limited time. It will begin once a white dwarf, or dead star, gathers enough hydrogen-filled matter from the red giant, or aging star. That will generate a thermonuclear reaction, NASA says. Here’s how the outburst happens:
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Where to look in the sky to find the T Coronae Borealis nova outburst
NASA says the nova will appear as a “new” bright star in the constellation Corona Borealis, or Northern Crown − a small, semicircular arc near Boötes and Hercules.
William J. Cooke, lead of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office, told CNN that most novae (extremely bright white dwarf stars) happen unexpectedly.
According to NASA, this recurring nova is only one of five in our galaxy. Unlike a supernova, when a star reaches the end of its life and explodes in a brilliant burst of light, T Coronae Borealis will probably be back in another eight decades.
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Contributing: Amaris Encinas
Daisy Hips is a science communicator who brings the wonders of the natural world to readers. Her articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to environmental conservation. Daisy is also an advocate for science education and enjoys stargazing in her spare time.
