T Coronae Borealis could erupt as a 'new star' visible to the naked eye this week — a recurrent nova event occurring once every 80 years

Summary

T Coronae Borealis (T CrB), also known as the "Blaze Star," is a recurrent nova system located 3,000 light-years away in the Corona Borealis constellation. It consists of a red giant and a white dwarf in a binary orbit. Approximately every 80 years, the white dwarf siphons material from the red giant until it triggers a thermonuclear explosion, causing the star system to brighten dramatically — from magnitude +10 (invisible to the naked eye) to magnitude +2, as bright as Polaris, the North Star. The last eruption occurred in 1946, and astronomers predict another could happen anytime between now and September 2024. The article explains the science behind recurrent novae (distinct from supernovae, which destroy the star), the historical observations dating back to 1217 and 1787, and how skywatchers can locate Corona Borealis to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Source

Twitter / XT Coronae Borealis could erupt as a 'new star' visible to the naked eye this week — a recurrent nova event occurring once every 80 yearsspace.com