Nova explosion: Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime cosmic event

T Coronae Borealis (T CrB), a binary star system with a white dwarf and red giant companion, is expected to be visible to the naked eye in the coming weeks or months, between February and September 2024.

Located 3,000 light-years away from Earth in the Northern Crown constellation, T CrB is one of the famous recurrent nova that last exploded in 1946. Since the nova outburst only occurs about every 80 years, the upcoming explosion could be a once-in-a-lifetime cosmic event, according to NASA.

During the event, the star system will have a magnitude of +2, which is much brighter than its usual magnitude of +10. To put it into perspective, it will be as bright as the North Star, Polaris. Once its brightness peaks, it will be visible to the naked eye for several days and with binoculars for just over a week, after which it will start to dim again. Likely, it will not be this bright again for another 80 years.

Meet us in the afterglow! 🌟A star system, located 3,000 light-years away from Earth, last exploded in 1946 and astronomers believe it will do so again in the next few months.Learn how you can view this once-in-a-lifetime cosmic event >> https://t.co/45qKPSjLoy pic.twitter.com/Drwli2Jg43

— NASA Marshall (@NASA_Marshall) February 27, 2024

According to NASA, this recurring nova is only one of five in our Milky Way galaxy. This phenomenon happens because the stars are close enough that as the red giant in the binary system becomes unstable due to its increasing temperature and pressure, it begins ejecting its outer layers. The white dwarf in the system then collects that matter onto its surface. As a result, the shallow dense atmosphere of the white dwarf heats enough to cause a runaway thermonuclear reaction - which produces the nova we see from Earth.