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The explosion -

Astronomers predicted that an explosion would take place 3,000 light years away sometime between March and September 2024, but it seems to have been delayed. This star nova explosion should be visible from Earth without a telescope.

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First recording -

The first recorded sighting of T Coronae Borealis was more than 800 years ago, in 1217. A man named Burchard, the abbot of Ursberg, Germany, noted his observance of “a faint star that for time shone with great light."

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Last recording -

The most recent explosion of the T Coronae Borealis was recorded in 1946. Experts said that the next explosion would take place before September 2024, but since it's a little behind schedule, you still have a chance to see it! 

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T Coronae Borealis -

T Coronae Borealis, also known as the "Blaze Star" is a pair of stars located 3,000 light years away. It includes a hot red giant star and a cool white dwarf star, which are a part of a star or stellar system. 

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Star system -

The T Coronae Borealis is a recurring nova, which allows Earth to be exposed to explosions every 70 to 80 years, according to NASA. 

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Northern Crown -

The star is located in the Northern Crown, which is in the shape of a horseshoe—a curve of stars west of the Hercules constellation, according to NASA. One can look for it between the bright stars Vega and Arcturus.

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Location -

Nasa reports that, normally, T Coronae Borealis is located at magnitude +10, which is far and dim to see with the human eye. However, during the explosion, it will jump to magnitude +2. 

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Brightest star -

Astronomy professor Bradley Schafer from Louisana State University has encouraged the public to go outside to view the explosion when it happens, as it is going to be one of the brightest stars in the sky.

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When is it happening? -

The exact date and time of the explosion are still unknown, but looking into the star system’s historical behavior and current “pre-eruption dip,” the spectacle is said to be imminent.

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Pre-eruption dip -

A pre-eruption dip is a sudden decrease in the brightness of some celestial objects that is experienced about a year before its eruption. The fading of T Coronae Borealis happened in March 2023. 

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Nova vs. supernova -

Nasa explains the difference between nova and supernova events. A nova event is recurring and the dwarf star stays intact during the explosion. A supernova event is when a dying star is destroyed in one final eruption. 

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A nova -

A nova is when a tiny star gradually becomes hotter and hotter until it reaches a breaking point. All its energy is released in a huge cosmic explosion called a nova. 

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Recurring nova -

According to NASA, T Coronae Borealis is one of just 10 recurring novas known in the Milky Way that erupt on time scales of less than a century. 

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Polaris -

During the event, the star system will be similar in brightness to the North star, Polaris, and may shine this bright for days or a week after its first appearance.

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Red giant -

An ancient red giant is a luminous giant star of low or intermediate mass. A giant red is formed after a star has run out of hydrogen fuel for nuclear fusion and begins the process of dying. 

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White dwarf -

A white dwarf is an Earth-sized remnant of a dead star with a mass comparable to that of our sun.

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Red giant vs. white dwarf - The hydrogen from the red giant accumulates on the surface of the white dwarf, causing a build-up of pressure and heat, which eventually triggers a thermonuclear explosion so big that it is enough to blast away the accumulated materials. 

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What is a thermonuclear reaction? -

When two light atomic nuclei are fused to form a single heavier nucleus by a collision of the two interacting particles at extremely high temperatures, a thermonuclear reaction is caused. 

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A thermonuclear bomb -

This reaction can be used to make a powerful bomb. A thermonuclear bomb differs from an atomic bomb in that it utilizes energy released when two light atomic nuclei combine or fuse, to form a heavier nucleus.

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An atomic bomb -

An atomic bomb, by contrast, uses the energy released when a heavy atomic nucleus splits or breaks into two lighter nuclei. 

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'Oppenheimer' (2023) -

Astronomy Professor Bradley Schafer has compared the stellar nova explosion to the atomic explosion depicted in the film ‘Oppenheimer,' noting that both involve hydrogen-based reactions, creating intense, visually similar, bursts of energy. 

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No harm to Earth -

However, the star explosion is too far away from the surface of the Earth to harm us. That being said, it's large enough that it will appear as a new star in the night sky for a few days.

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How to see it -

The constellation is small and looks like a crown, but you don't have to check every night. NASA will be keeping the public up to date on the explosion. Until then, you can familiarize yourself with how to spot the right constellation. 

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Try to spot it -

First, try to spot the shining stars Vega and Acturus to then locate the Hercules constellation. Close to that is an arc with four visible stars that make up T Corona Borealis. 

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Check the weather -

When notified by Nasa, make sure to check the weather and moon forecast. A cloudless, moonless night will make the viewing experience better. 

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Away from the city -

As the effects will last a few days, it should be most visible the day after the explosion. Try to leave the city lights for the countryside to make it easier to spot away from all the artificial brightness. 

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Observers -

Astronomers will observe the nova using the Hubble Space Telescope and the space-based Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. 

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A great opportunity -

This explosion is a great opportunity for young adults and science enthusiasts to learn more about astronomy. You never know which event can create a spark in someone to be a scientist. 

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Last chance -

Don't miss the opportunity to view this stellar explosion up close, as the next one won't occur until the early 2100s.  

Sources: (CNN) (ABC News) (Business Insider) (Nasa) (Britannica)

See also: Unsolved mysteries of the universe that have puzzled scientists for centuries

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