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Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
A 'new star' could appear in night skies for the first time in 80 years: What we know
A "new star" is expected to appear in night skies soon due to a distant nova explosion. Originally, the T Coronae Borealis star system, which is 3,000 light years away from Earth, was expected to become visible to the naked eye for the first time in roughly 80 years in 2024. This prediction never came to fruition. However, NASA rekindled excitement about the potential nova explosion to start off May 2025, mentioning changes in the system's behavior. Here's what we know about the potential "explosion" that could be coming to night skies around the world within a matter of months. Did T Coronae Borealis 'explode'? When will the nova explosion occur? Previously, many astronomers predicted T CrB would undergo a nova explosion between May and September of 2024. Obviously, this prediction turned out to be incorrect. In NASA's May 2025 skywatching guide, however, the nova was brought once again into the public eye. "Now, you may have heard about this months ago, as astronomers started keeping watch for the nova midway through 2024, but it hasn't happened yet," NASA's guide said. "Predicting exactly when novas or any sort of stellar outburst will happen is tricky, but excitement began growing when astronomers observed the star to dim suddenly, much as it did right before its previous nova in 1946." Despite these observations, however, NASA's guide was only able to say that the nova will likely happen "in the coming months." With 3,000 light-years between the star and Earth, predicting such a phenomenon can be tricky. What is a nova explosion? Are novas and supernovas the same? A nova explosion is different from a supernova explosion. National Geographic explained that supernovas are "core collapses," leading to the complete destruction of a star. This can only occur in stars about eight times the mass of our own sun. Novas like the one T CrB will undergo are surface explosions that fling matter into space without destroying the star. NASA said that T CrB is extra special, as it is a recurrent nova, undergoing regular (though only every 80 years) explosions. There are only five of these recurrent novas in our galaxy. T CrB is a binary system, meaning a solar system with two stars instead of the one star in systems like Earth's – the "explosion" isn't actually a single cosmic body exploding, but as National Geographic put it, "a celestial dance between two dying stars orbiting one another." What does a nova explosion look like? The T CrB star system is normally much too dim to see with the naked eye. Its normal magnitude is plus 10, but during the nova explosion event, it will jump to plus 2, a similar brightness to the North Star, Polaris. NASA said that at peak brightness, the nova should be visible to the naked eye for several days, and just over a week with binoculars, before it dims again. Sky chart showing constellation Corona Borealis with the location where nova "T CrB" is predicted to appear. The view depicts the constellation with the nova occurring, indicated by an arrow. How to see the nova explosion NASA explained how to view the nova once it becomes visible. The organization suggested becoming familiar with the constellation Corona Borealis, or the Northern Crown, which is a small, semicircular arc near constellations Bootes and Hercules. This is where the nova will be visible, appearing similar to a bright new "star." More: These 2 Western NC rivers were named among America's 11 most endangered historic places Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Nova explosion? Here's when we could see a 'new star in night skies
Economic Times
05-05-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
THIS once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon is about to dazzle the night sky soon; here is what you need to know
Nova in coming months: What we know What is T CrB? Live Events Why is the anticipated nova special? FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Earthlings are set to witness a rare stellar phenomenon that happens once in approximately every 80 years. It is expected that a nova will take place soon in the coming months. Nova is referred to as an explosion in a binary star star system in question is called T Coronae Borealis, or " T CrB ". It is composed of two stars that belong to two distinct categories: a white dwarf, and a red star. The upcoming eruption in T Coronae Borealis is likely to be visible to the naked eye for a brief period. The star system has been under the watch of astronomers for quite some time now.T Coronae Borealis, which is a part of the Northern Crown constellation, is located nearly 3,000 lightyears away from Earth. The periodic nova in the star system results from the over-accumulation of gases around the white dwarf. The impact of thermonuclear explosion only impacts the surface of the Earth-sized gases that build up around the white dwarf over time are emitted by the red giant. The process takes several thousand years to complete a full cycle in most cases. However, in the case of T CrB, it does so in just 80 years, making it a lifetime event for most novae in the binary system are known to have occurred in 1787, 1866, and 1946. Prior to that, an outburst was likely recorded in 1217. The latest explosion in T CrB was earlier expected to take place in late 2024. However, that obviously did not happen. It is hard to predict when a Nova will exactly occur. In recent years, astronomers started observing T CrB when it appeared to lose its per NASA , the anticipated nova eruption greatly interests astronomers as such events are relatively rare in Earth's vicinity. The outburst's proximity from Earth will enable scientists to observe the event in unusual detail. An average nova can be around 200,000 times brighter, as compared to the Sun. The brightest nova can be 10 times brighter than that, as per nova explosion in T CrB repeats itself every 80 years or last stellar explosion in T CrB was documented in 1946.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
‘New star' may appear in the night sky after deep space explosion
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Astronomers are excitedly waiting for the arrival of a new light in the sky this year that appears once every 80 years. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) shared on May 1 a list of important astronomical events to keep an eye out for in the days ahead. Among the highlights was a notice for an eagerly anticipated nova event that will add just a little more light to the sky soon. 27 News reached out to Solar System Ambassador Brenda Culbertson with the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) for an explanation on this special event and how people can spot it in the night sky. She said the light is expected to appear in the Corona Borealis, also known as the Northern Crown, morning constellation. 'T Coronae Borealis (T CrB for short) is a binary system, two stars orbiting a central point of gravity,' Culbertson said. 'One of the stars is a Red Giant, an older, larger, and relatively cooler star, and the other is a White Dwarf, a smaller (about the size of Earth), denser, and relatively hotter star. Gravity of the White Dwarf accumulates some of the gases from the Red Giant partner. As the gases from the Red Giant build up on the White Dwarf, pressure increases and causes a thermonuclear reaction, and an explosion occurs that blows the outer shell of the White Dwarf out into space. The explosion is called a nova. Only the outer shell of gases is blown off, and the star, itself, remains.' Big sunspot appears, what this means for Earth Culbertson said the explosive process can happen multiple times with the last recorded nova from this binary star system appearing in 1946. NASA also reports that documented outbursts from T CrB have been reported in 1866, 1787 and possibly even in 1217. Astronomers now expect the same event to occur again in the near future. NASA has likened the event to a 'new star' appearing in the night sky for casual observers. However, this nova will be a temporary brightening of a star system that will be visible for only a few nights. 'T CrB, also known as the Blaze Star, was expected to go nova in 2024, but we are still waiting for it to happen,' Culbertson said. 'It is not what is being called a new star, but one that exists and will brighten at some point. If it happens when we are watching, and we see it go nova, that will be a nice sight to see, for sure.' People should be able to view the nova with the unaided eye once the sun goes down. You can learn more about T CrB and the nova process by clicking here. What new Kansas laws go into effect on July 1, 2025? For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
THIS once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon is about to dazzle the night sky soon; here is what you need to know
Most earthlings will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a stellar phenomenon that takes place every 80 years in a star system located about 3,000 lightyears away from Earth. Read on to know more. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Nova in coming months: What we know What is T CrB? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why is the anticipated nova special? FAQs Disclaimer Statement: This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. ET hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein. Earthlings are set to witness a rare stellar phenomenon that happens once in approximately every 80 years. It is expected that a nova will take place soon in the coming months. Nova is referred to as an explosion in a binary star star system in question is called T Coronae Borealis , or " T CrB ". It is composed of two stars that belong to two distinct categories: a white dwarf, and a red star. The upcoming eruption in T Coronae Borealis is likely to be visible to the naked eye for a brief period. The star system has been under the watch of astronomers for quite some time now.T Coronae Borealis, which is a part of the Northern Crown constellation, is located nearly 3,000 lightyears away from Earth. The periodic nova in the star system results from the over-accumulation of gases around the white dwarf. The impact of thermonuclear explosion only impacts the surface of the Earth-sized gases that build up around the white dwarf over time are emitted by the red giant. The process takes several thousand years to complete a full cycle in most cases. However, in the case of T CrB, it does so in just 80 years, making it a lifetime event for most novae in the binary system are known to have occurred in 1787, 1866, and 1946. Prior to that, an outburst was likely recorded in 1217. The latest explosion in T CrB was earlier expected to take place in late 2024. However, that obviously did not happen. It is hard to predict when a Nova will exactly occur. In recent years, astronomers started observing T CrB when it appeared to lose its per NASA , the anticipated nova eruption greatly interests astronomers as such events are relatively rare in Earth's vicinity. The outburst's proximity from Earth will enable scientists to observe the event in unusual detail. An average nova can be around 200,000 times brighter, as compared to the Sun. The brightest nova can be 10 times brighter than that, as per nova explosion in T CrB repeats itself every 80 years or last stellar explosion in T CrB was documented in 1946.
Forbes
02-05-2025
- Science
- Forbes
NASA Urges Public To Look At Night Sky Now As ‘Nova' Nears
In the wake of 2024's total solar eclipse and rare displays of the Northern Lights, a third once-in-a-lifetime sight could be possible in 2025 as a star explodes as a nova for the first time since 1946. With T Coronae Borealis (also called T CrB and the 'Blaze Star') due to become 1,000 times brighter than normal and become visible to the naked eye for the first since 1946, NASA is advising sky-watchers to get to know the patch of sky it's going to appear in. T Corona Borealis is a dim star that will briefly become a nova (new star) sometime during 2025, increasing from +10 magnitude, which is invisible to the naked eye, to +2 magnitude, which is about as bright as Polaris, the North Star. It's a 'cataclysmic variable star' and a 'recurrent nova' — a star that brightens dramatically on a known timescale, in this case about 80 years. That last happened in 1946, so it's due any day now. Astronomers first predicted T CrB would explode between April and September 2024 after it suddenly dimmed in 2023 — a telltale sign that an explosion is imminent. However, that didn't happen. It was then predicted by scientists to 'go nova' on Thursday, March 27, 2025, but that also failed to happen. The 'Blaze Star' is about 3,000 light-years away from the solar system. When it does finally 'go nova,' it will become visible to the naked eye for a few nights. Unless you know where that star is in the night sky, it's not going to be an impactful event. NASA's Preston Dyches makes that point in a new blog post published this week — and it includes a valuable sky chart (below) showing everyone where to look. T Coronae Borealis is a dim star in a constellation called Corona Borealis, "Northern Crown," a crescent of seven stars easily visible after dark from the Northern Hemisphere. 'You'll find Corona Borealis right in between the two bright stars Arcturus and Vega, and you can use the Big Dipper's handle to point you to the right part of the sky,' writes Dyches. 'Try having a look for it on clear, dark nights before the nova, so you'll have a comparison when a new star suddenly becomes visible there.' He advises practicing finding Corona Borealis in the eastern part of the sky during the first half of the night after dark during May, 'so you have a point of comparison when the T CrB nova appears there."' T Coronae Borealis is a binary star system that consists of two stars at the end of their lives: a white dwarf star that's exhausted its fuel and is cooling down and a red giant star that's cooling and expanding as it ages, expelling hydrogen as it does. That material is gathering on the surface of the white dwarf. When it reaches a critical point, it triggers a thermonuclear explosion that causes a sudden and dramatic increase in brightness. The explosion only affects its surface, leaving the white dwarf intact, so the whole process can occur again and again, according to NASA. One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts. Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space. In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site's Terms of Service. We've summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil. Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain: User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in: So, how can you be a power user? Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site's Terms of Service.
