New Delhi: Stargazers around the world are anticipating a rare astronomical event set to occur this year, presenting a unique viewing opportunity described as a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience. NASA scientists have predicted that a nova explosion within a star system located 3,000 light years away will become visible to the naked eye at some point in 2024.
Bill Cooke, the head of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office in Huntsville, Alabama, shed light on the upcoming phenomenon during an interview. He explained that the timing of the explosion remains uncertain, unlike the predictability of an eclipse, but when it does happen, it promises to leave a lasting impression on observers.
The star at the center of this cosmic spectacle, T Coronae Borealis, also known as “the blaze star,” stands out as one of the 10 recurrent novas in our galaxy. This star erupts approximately every 79 years, with the most recent explosion observed back in 1946.
Cooke delved into the mechanics behind the explosion, detailing how a red giant star transfers material onto a white dwarf companion. As the white dwarf’s surface temperature rises due to the accumulation of material, a thermonuclear reaction ignites, resulting in a spectacular outburst that sends material into space, causing the star to shine hundreds of times brighter than before.
The nova explosion is expected to be visible just to the right of the constellation Hercules and is projected to increase significantly in brightness to a magnitude of approximately +2, comparable to the luminosity of Polaris, the North Star. This celestial event is not only remarkable for its rarity but also for its historical significance, dating back to the end of the Bronze Age approximately 3,000 years ago.
Cooke urges enthusiasts to stay vigilant for updates on the explosion and to seize the opportunity to witness this extraordinary event as soon as it occurs. He emphasizes the limited timeframe available to catch a glimpse of the nova explosion, highlighting the fleeting nature of this celestial phenomenon.