Astronomy enthusiasts and casual stargazers alike are in for a rare treat as the T Coronae Borealis, a binary star system, is set to explode in a dazzling nova. This celestial event, described as a "once-in-a-lifetime" occurrence, will be visible for the first time in 80 years. Also known as “Blaze Star, T Cor Bor, T CrB”, T Coronae Borealis is predicted to undergo a nova explosion in the night sky anytime soon. Earth will have the opportunity to witness the “once-in-a-lifetime event.” Reportedly, T CrB becomes visible about every 80 years after a thermonuclear explosion on the surface of a white dwarf about 3,000 light years away. This occurs in a binary star system, where a white dwarf star is in close proximity to a companion star. This article will detail you about the T Coronae Borealis, a binary star system. Astronomers Find Giant and Extremely Faint Stream of Stars, Name It 'Giant Coma Stream' Running Between Galaxies.

What Is T Coronae Borealis?

T Coronae Borealis, also known as the Blaze Star, is a recurrent nova located in the constellation Corona Borealis. A binary system consists of a red giant and a white dwarf. The white dwarf accretes material from its companion star, and when enough material accumulates, a thermonuclear explosion occurs, causing a dramatic increase in brightness. This rare event transforms the star into a nova, making it visible to the naked eye from Earth.

Dr Laura Driessen, from the University of Sydney’s School of Physics, stated to The Guardian that two stars are close enough that a gravitational pull results in the white dwarf sucking in the material. She explained, “It’s a binary system and every now and then it has an outburst, so it’s a nova”. NASA Shares Stunning Visual of Massive Star Formation Located 7,200 Light Years Away From Earth in Constellation Aquila. 

“When we think nova we often think supernova, which is when they explode at the end of their life … there’s no coming back from that. But a nova has smaller surface explosion, based on this accretion, this gathering of material,” she reported to The Guardian

The Upcoming Explosion

The explosion of T Coronae Borealis is expected to occur anytime from now until September, 2024. The last recorded explosion of this star system was in 1946, making this an extraordinary opportunity for those who wish to witness a nova in their lifetime.

How To Spot the Nova?

It will be good practice if you start stargazing from now on. Get used to seeing Coronae Borealis, as it is now, so that you get the full impact of the “new” star. Coronae Borealis reaches its best observational position around 8:30 PM to 9:00 PM local time across Australia and Aotearoa. The farther north you are located, the higher the constellation will be in the sky.

The nova is expected to be a reasonable brightness (magnitude 2.5), about as bright as Imai (Delta Crucis), the fourth biggest star in the Southern Cross. Thus, it will be easy to spot from a city location, if you know where to look.

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

Scientific Significance

The explosion of T Coronae Borealis provides a valuable opportunity for scientists to study the dynamics of binary star systems and the mechanisms behind recurrent novae. Observing this event will help astronomers gather data on the behaviour of such systems, contributing to our understanding of stellar evolution and the life cycle of stars.

The impending explosion of T Coronae Borealis is a celestial event not to be missed. As this "one-in-a-lifetime" nova lights up the night sky, it will captivate the imaginations of stargazers worldwide and provide invaluable insights for the scientific community. Whether you are an avid astronomer or simply enjoy the beauty of the night sky, this is an event that promises to be truly unforgettable.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 12, 2024 01:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).