A rare astronomical spectacle will grace our skies in the coming months – a nova outburst from the T Coronae Borealis (T CrB) star system, located approximately 3,000 light-years from Earth. This celestial event only happens every 80 years, giving us a fascinating view into the world of stars.
T CrB comprises a white dwarf and a red giant locked in a gravitational embrace. A white dwarf is the small, dense remnant of a dying star, while a red giant is a star in the final stages of life. The two stellar entities are close enough that the white dwarf accumulates the matter ejected by the red giant. When that accumulated material reaches critical mass, it triggers a thermonuclear reaction on the white dwarf’s surface, causing the star to show a sudden increase in brightness akin to the birth of a new star.
The usually dim T CrB will transform into a luminous beacon visible from Earth. The explosion will appear as bright as the North Star, Polaris, at its peak. The nova will appear in the constellation Corona Borealis. It will be visible with the naked eye for several days and with binoculars for over a week.
The last recorded nova event from T CrB occurred in 1946, but historical accounts suggest earlier occurrences dating back to 1217. Despite its infrequent appearance, T CrB’s recurrent nova status distinguishes it as one of only 10 observed within the Milky Way galaxy, making each eruption a momentous occasion for astronomers and stargazers alike.
As it is a much rarer event than the highly publicized solar eclipse earlier this year, even casual stargazers have much to gain from keeping an eye out.