Astronomers and stargazers around the world are eagerly anticipating a rare celestial event set to take place in September. The expected explosion of T Coronae Borealis, also known as the “Blaze Star,” will be visible to the naked eye from Earth. Located in the Corona Borealis constellation approximately 3,000 light-years away, T Coronae Borealis is a binary star system consisting of a white dwarf and a red giant that experiences periodic nova explosions about every 80 years. The last recorded explosion was in 1946, with the first sighting dating back to 1217.
According to Rebekah Hounsell, an assistant research scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, this upcoming event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will engage and inspire both seasoned astronomers and curious individuals alike. The interaction between the white dwarf and red giant in the T Coronae Borealis system leads to a thermonuclear explosion known as a nova, allowing the white dwarf to survive and repeat the process over thousands of years.
Enthusiasm for the upcoming nova event is amplified by the accessibility for public observation. The constellation, also referred to as the “Northern Crown,” lies west of the Hercules constellation and can be easily located between the bright stars Vega and Arcturus. Once the eruption occurs, the nova will be visible to the naked eye for nearly a week, providing an exciting opportunity for citizen scientists to contribute valuable data.
NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, as well as other missions like the James Webb Space Telescope and Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, will be tracking the nova event. Citizen scientists and space enthusiasts are crucial in identifying and sharing information about nova events, contributing to the global effort in understanding these unpredictable celestial phenomena.
The behavior of recurrent novae, like T Coronae Borealis, remains a topic of interest for researchers such as Koji Mukai, a Goddard astrophysics researcher. These phenomena often defy expectations and exhibit unique patterns, challenging scientists to unravel their mysteries. As anticipation builds for the celestial spectacle set to unfold this September, astronomers and enthusiasts alike are preparing to witness and study the rare event with enthusiasm and curiosity.