A NASA expert stated on Wednesday that a massive explosion in space, so large that you could see it in the night sky without a telescope, could occur “any day Here’s a more human-friendly version:
“A nova is a stellar explosion that can make it look like a new star has suddenly appeared in the sky.” However, it won’t last forever.
Experts say that this type of nova is rare, happening once every 80 years or so, meaning that skywatchers are likely to have a “once-in-a-lifetime” chance to see it.
Here’s what we know about T Coronae Borealis, nicknamed “Blaze Star.”
When Can People See the Rare Nova Explosion in 2024?
According to a NASA article published in June, some researchers believe T Coronae Borealis could become a nova by September 2024.
Dr. Rebecca Hounsell, a research associate specializing in nova events at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, cautioned that it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact date: “We hope it happens any day now,” she said. “The timing is an estimate. We hope it happens this year, and we hope it happens this month.”
Can the Nova Be Seen Yet?
Not yet. A few months ago, astronomers at the Planetary Society predicted in May that there was a 70% chance T Coronae Borealis, known as “T-Cor-Bor,” would turn into a nova by September, with a 95% chance of an explosion by the end of the year.
How Bright Will the Nova Be in 2024?
Experts say the nova should be easy to spot if you know where to look, shining as bright as the North Star.
“It will be very noticeable,” Hounsell said “The star, located just 3,000 light-years away in the constellation Corona Borealis, will shine with a brightness similar to that of the North Star.”
That’s about 17 quadrillion miles. However, scientists at the Planetary Society say the new star’s explosion will likely be the brightest seen on Earth since 1975.
What Is a Nova?
The word “nova” comes from Latin, meaning “new.” In astronomy, it might look like a new star has appeared in the sky, even though the star itself could be very old. “It’s almost reaching the end of its journey.”
NASA explains that during a nova event, energy bursts from a white dwarf star. Hounsell noted that white dwarf stars are not much larger than Earth. They are usually too dim to see at night, but when a stellar explosion occurs, the sudden burst can make the star bright enough to be seen with the naked eye from trillions of miles away.
What Causes a Stellar Explosion?
Stars don’t always behave nicely with one another, experts say. Most stars are gravitationally bound to one or more companion stars, and things can get interesting – or violent – if these stars get too close.
Sometimes, when a small white dwarf star orbits a regular star, it can absorb the larger star’s energy. Hounsell explained that this is because the white dwarf has roughly the same mass as our Sun. Its gravity is extremely strong – not as strong as a black hole, according to the Adler Planetarium, but equivalent to about 100,000 to 300,000 times the gravity on Earth.
“The white dwarf’s gravity pulls material from its companion star,” Hounsell explained. “This material piles up on the white dwarf’s surface, heating up to extreme temperatures, but it can’t expand.”
Eventually, the pressure and heat cause a massive thermonuclear explosion, Hounsell said, which is called a nova.
What’s the Difference Between a Nova and a Supernova?
A supernova is the final fiery explosion that can destroy a dying star. It can briefly outshine entire galaxies, as Space.com notes, and radiate more energy than our Sun will produce in its entire lifetime. But while supernovas occur only once, a nova can happen repeatedly.
After a nova explosion, the white dwarf star remains intact, and the cycle leading to another explosion begins again, which NASA says could take tens, hundreds, or even thousands of years.
In the case of T Coronae Borealis, the cycle repeats roughly every 80 years.
When Was the Last Nova Explosion of T Coronae Borealis?
The last nova explosion from T Coronae Borealis occurred in February 1946. It also erupted 80 years earlier, in 1866. An astronomer described the event, saying, “In color, the star appeared almost white with a bluish tinge,” according to records preserved by IOPscience.
According to NASA, the first recorded sighting of the “Blaze Star” was over 800 years ago. An abbot named Burchard in Ursberg, Germany, noted in 1217 that he saw “a faint star that shone for a while with great light.”
How to View the Explosion of the Star T Coronae Borealis in 2024
The star T Coronae Borealis can be found in the Northern Crown constellation, as described by EarthSky. You can easily locate it by looking for the two brightest stars in the Northern Hemisphere.
First, find the Big Dipper and follow its handle, which points towards the star Arcturus. Then, look for Vega, which is part of the Summer Triangle. By drawing a straight line from Arcturus to Vega, you’ll find the Hercules constellation and the Northern Crown star, which forms a horseshoe-shaped curve of stars.
Experts say the glowing star should appear just slightly below Arcturus.
How Long Will the New Star Last?
Hansell mentioned that the new star should last about a week, reaching its peak brightness in the first few days before gradually fading.
How Often Do Stars Become a Nova?
NASA says that only five stars in the entire galaxy are known to undergo nova explosions, but scientists believe that the Milky Way experiences between 30 to 60 nova explosions annually. However, these distant stars are too far away to be seen with the naked eye, as the light is obscured by gas and dust.
What Happens If T Coronae Borealis Doesn’t Turn into a Nova in September, or Doesn’t Become a Nova at All?
In that case, it would be quite interesting, according to Hansell.
She adds, “We know from historical records that it’s supposed to happen roughly every 80 years or so, but this is unpredictable science.” “If the nova doesn’t explode within the timeframe we expect, it might mean something different is happening, leading us to new information, which is really exciting. We’ll learn new things. That’s the beauty of science.”