Nova alert: T Coronae Borealis may soon light up the sky
The star T Coronae Borealis, located almost 3,000 light-years away, may soon explode as a nova. Astronomers eagerly await this phenomenon, which may be visible to the naked eye.
The star T Coronae Borealis (T CrB) is a fascinating object in the constellation of the Northern Crown that has attracted scientists' attention for years. It is located almost 3,000 light-years from Earth and is a binary system consisting of a white dwarf and a red giant.
Astronomers have been expecting T CrB to explode as a so-called nova for over a year. If the explosion occurs at the right time, it can be observed with the naked eye for several nights. Previous blasts occurred in 1866 and 1946, making T CrB a recurrent nova.
Prof. Joanna Mikołajewska from the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences explains that the white dwarf captures material from the red giant. When enough material accumulates, a thermonuclear explosion occurs.
The white dwarf, which has strong gravity, captures material from its companion (donor). This material accumulates on its surface, is highly compressed, and when it reaches a critical mass, a thermonuclear explosion occurs — described Prof. Mikołajewska.
The unpredictable nature of the star
At the end of 2023, a decline in T CrB's brightness was observed, similar to the one before the 1946 explosion. Nevertheless, the blast did not occur in 2024. Prof. Mikołajewska explains that the rate at which the white dwarf captures material is not constant, which makes predicting the exact timing of the explosion difficult.
The rate at which the white dwarf captures material doesn't have to be constant, as there are no stars that are perfectly stable — the researcher stated.
If T CrB explodes, the new star will be visible in the constellation of the Northern Crown, between the constellations of Boötes and Hercules. This phenomenon may be visible to the naked eye for two to three nights, and slightly longer with binoculars.
Let's hope it explodes soon and that it happens between spring and autumn because that part of the sky where T CrB is located is well visible then — summarized Prof. Mikołajewska.
Astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts eagerly await this phenomenon, which may provide valuable scientific data and unforgettable visual experiences.
