Summer Spectacle: Witness a Temporary ‘New Star’ from a Stellar Explosion
This summer, sky watchers may be in for a treat as a stellar explosion could create a temporary ‘new star’ in the night sky. Located approximately 3,000 light-years away, a white dwarf star in the constellation Corona Borealis is expected to go nova, resulting in a brightening point of light visible from Earth.
The phenomenon, known as a nova eruption, occurs when a white dwarf star pulls material from a neighboring red giant star. As mass accumulates on the white dwarf’s surface, the rising pressure and temperature trigger a blast that can be seen with the naked eye for a few days to a week. This binary system, T Corona Borealis (T CrB), is predicted to undergo a nova event sometime between now and September, repeating an approximately 80-year cycle.
Astronomers are closely monitoring T CrB as it transitions from a ‘super active’ phase to a period of apparent inactivity, signaling the impending nova eruption. The last observed nova event from T CrB was in 1946, and before that in 1866, highlighting the rare nature of this celestial event.
To catch a glimpse of the ‘new star,’ sky gazers are advised to look towards the constellation Corona Borealis during summer evenings. Positioned between the bright stars Vega and Arcturus, this constellation resembles a letter C and will appear high overhead in the Northern Hemisphere and near the northern horizon in the Southern Hemisphere. The nova will be visible just outside the semicircle of stars in the constellation.
Scientists are gearing up to study this nova event with a comprehensive approach, utilizing telescopes across the globe and in space to capture data across the electromagnetic spectrum. One of the main objectives is to determine whether the white dwarf gains or loses mass following the eruption, which could have implications for future cosmic phenomena like type 1a supernovas.
Moreover, researchers are eager to investigate the propagation of shock waves and dust formation in the aftermath of the nova, shedding light on the origins of cosmic dust that contributes to the formation of stars and planets. The detection of high-energy gamma rays from a past nova event has sparked curiosity about the energy levels involved in these cosmic explosions.
While the exact timing of the nova eruption is uncertain, astronomers are hopeful that amateur sky watchers may be the first to witness this spectacular cosmic event unfold. As scientists prepare to unlock the mysteries of this stellar explosion, the anticipation of a fleeting ‘new star’ in the night sky adds a sense of wonder and excitement to the summer months ahead.
