Astronomers predict a once-in-a-lifetime space phenomenon that may inspire the next generation of scientists will occur between June and September.
A bright nova (an explosion from a collapsed star known as a white dwarf) occurs in the Milky Way’s “Burning Star” in the constellation Corona Borealis approximately every 80 years. according to To National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Also known as the Northern Crown, this constellation is home to the star T Corona Borealis, nicknamed the “Burning Star” for its recurring bright flashes of light.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event that will create many new astronomers, giving young people the opportunity to make their own observations, ask their own questions and collect their own data,” said NASA’s Dr. Rebecca Hounsell. “It will inspire the next generation of scientists.”
Hounsell, an assistant research scientist specializing in nova phenomena at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, said astronomers “typically” don’t see repeated explosions in a human lifetime, and “it’s rare to have an explosion this relatively close to our solar system.”
“I’m really excited to have a front row seat,” she added.
Blazestar is one of only 10 recurring novae in the galaxy, according to William J. Cook of NASA’s Meteor Environment Office. Blazestar last exploded in 1946, the same year the United Nations first met.
“Most novae occur unexpectedly and without warning,” Cook says. Said in statement He explained to ABC7 that the star will dim and then brighten rapidly.
“T Coronae Borealis began to dim in March of last year, leading some researchers to predict that it will undergo a nova explosion between now and September,” the researchers said. “However, when this will occur remains uncertain for several months, and we cannot say much more than what we currently know.”
According to NASA, the nova was first recorded in 1217 by a German monk named Abbot Burchard.
