A rare “once-in-a-lifetime” event is expected to occur at T Coronae Borealis, a star system 3,000 light-years away from Earth. The spectacle, known as a nova explosion, will be visible from our planet for about a week and is predicted to happen anytime between now and April.
The star system consists of two celestial bodies: an Earth-sized piece of a dead star (white dwarf) and an ancient red giant being stripped of hydrogen by its neighbor’s gravitational pull. The Blaze Star appears as a new star in the sky for about a week before it explodes, occurring only once every 80 years.
Astronomers predict that the event will be one of the brightest stars in the night sky, outshining many current celestial bodies. The last recorded outburst was in 1946, and experts are eager to witness this spectacular display.
To locate T Coronae Borealis in the night sky, look for The Northern Crown, a horseshoe-shaped curve of stars west of the Hercules constellation. Once erupted, the nova will be visible on clear nights for about a week, creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience for stargazers.
Despite predictions of various dates, including Nov. 10, June 25, 2026, and Feb. 8, 2027, astronomers are uncertain when the star will explode. However, they believe that this event will fuel the next generation of scientists and inspire a new wave of interest in astronomy.
Source: https://www.the-express.com/news/space-news/168288/once-in-a-lifetime-star-explosion-blaze-nasa-nova-astronomers