Phoenix, Arizona – Stargazers are eagerly anticipating a rare celestial event that is expected to occur sometime between now and September. A massive explosion in a binary star system located 3,000 light years from Earth will illuminate the night sky, offering amateur astronomers a unique opportunity to witness this spectacular phenomenon.
The binary star system in the constellation Corona Borealis, known as the “northern crown,” is typically too dim to be seen with the naked eye. However, every 80 years, the two stars in the system engage in exchanges that trigger a runaway nuclear explosion, resulting in a burst of light that resembles a new star shining as brightly as the North Star.
First discovered by Irish polymath John Birmingham in 1866 and later reappearing in 1946, this recurring nova event is a rare occurrence in our universe. Arizona State University astronomer Sumner Starrfield, who has studied the system since the 1960s, is eagerly awaiting the next outburst of the nova, also known as the “Blaze Star.”
Recurring novas like T Coronae Borealis, consisting of a red giant and a white dwarf, repeat their explosions on a human timescale due to the unique relationship between the two stars. The red giant, a dying star that has expanded after burning through its hydrogen, orbits the white dwarf every 227 days.
The buildup of matter ejected by the red giant on the surface of the white dwarf eventually leads to a massive thermonuclear reaction, resulting in a significant explosion reaching temperatures of 100-200 million degrees Celsius in a matter of seconds. Only around 10 such recurring novas exist in the Milky Way and neighboring galaxies. Astronomers are eagerly waiting to observe the upcoming outburst of T Coronae Borealis, with the James Webb Space Telescope poised to capture the event.
Despite the advanced technology available for observing celestial events, enthusiasts are advised that the rare occurrence can be witnessed by simply looking in the direction of the Corona Borealis constellation. As the astronomical community gears up for other significant events like a total solar eclipse, the anticipation for the once-in-a-lifetime sighting of the recurring nova is palpable.