Produced by: Tarun Mishra
A nearby exploding star is poised to illuminate the night sky, potentially outshining even the North Star, in what NASA describes as a "once-in-a-lifetime" spectacle expected to occur between now and September.
The massive explosion, known as a nova, will originate from a binary star system in the constellation Corona Borealis, which is normally too faint to be seen with the naked eye.
Credit: NASA
Bill Cooke, lead for NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office, acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding the timing of the event but assures that when it occurs, it will be a memorable sight.
Credit: NASA
Dubbed "the blaze star," T Coronae Borealis is one of the galaxy's ten known recurring novas, characterized by a red giant star depositing material onto a white dwarf.
When sufficient material accumulates on the white dwarf's surface, a thermonuclear explosion is triggered, resulting in a dramatic increase in brightness visible to the naked eye.
Credit: NASA
T Coronae Borealis, unlike most novas, erupts approximately every 79 years, making it a relatively rare but notable event in astronomical history.
Credit: NASA
First documented in 1866 by Irish polymath John Birmingham, the phenomenon offers a glimpse into the distant past, with the explosion occurring roughly 3,000 years ago.
Credit: NASA
The event's brightness rivals that of Polaris, the North Star, making it a prominent feature in the night sky, visible to the right of the Hercules constellation.
Space enthusiasts are advised to seize the opportunity to witness the event firsthand, as the star's brilliance will only last for about a week before gradually fading away.