The “Blaze Star,” T Coronae Borealis (T CrB), is on the verge of a rare brightening, possibly leading to a thermonuclear eruption, known as a nova. Located approximately 3,000 light-years away in the constellation Corona Borealis, this recurrent nova was predicted to explode between April and September 2024, but it failed to suddenly become visible to the naked eye during winter.
However, with its host constellation rising after dark, T CrB will become easily visible around four hours after sunset in March 2025. Skywatchers can witness the sudden brightening of this star before it fades back into obscurity for another 80 years. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with its position in advance, as one of the most fascinating stellar phenomena will only be visible for about a week.
T CrB is a binary system where a white dwarf accumulates material from its companion red giant star, triggering a thermonuclear explosion that brightens the star by more than 1,000 times. The dimming during 2023 led to predictions of an imminent explosion, which did not occur. Now, with each passing month, T CrB will rise two hours earlier, making it an easy nighttime object.
To locate the “Blaze Star,” follow the arc of the Big Dipper’s handle to Arcturus and then Vega. Corona Borealis lies between these stars, and within this constellation, T CrB will briefly outshine its neighbors. For astrophotographers, lock on to IC4587 or use astronomy software programs with T CrB in their catalogs.
As the “Blaze Star” is expected to be about mag. +2 when it erupts, you’ll need to find it yourself, so familiarizing yourself with its position now is crucial. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness a thermonuclear eruption that will only be visible for a week.
Source: https://www.space.com/blaze-star-coronae-borealis-where-to-look-march-2025