Look Up! Impending, Rare Nova Explosion Will Soon Be Visible To The Naked Eye
A nova explosion, sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event that will “fuel the next generation of scientists,” is expected to occur sometime between now and September. So what does this really mean and how do we know about it? Let’s get into it!
What’s a nova explosion?
A nova explosion is when a white dwarf star’s intense gravitational pull causes it to absorb material from a neighboring star. This matter is then stored on the surface until the hydrogen gas pressure becomes too much and explodes.
Where will the nova explosion occur?
The nova explosion will occur among a dark spot in the “Northern Crown” better known as the binary system T Coronae Borealis (T CrB) or “Blaze Star.” It’s 3,000 light years from Earth.
How often does a nova explosion occur?
According to NASA, a nova explosion for T CrB only occurs about once every 80 years. It’s last explosion was in 1946
How do experts know a nova explosion will occur?
“Most novae happen unexpectedly, without warning,” wrote William J. Cooke, NASA Meteoroid Environments Office lead, in an email. “However, T Coronae Borealis is one of 10 recurring novae in the galaxy. We know from the last eruption back in 1946 that the star will get dimmer for just over a year before rapidly increasing in brightness. T Coronae Borealis began to dim in March of last year, so some researchers are expecting it to go nova between now and September. But the uncertainty as to when this will happen is several months — can’t do better than that with what we know now.”
Will the explosion create a new star?
The nova explosion will be so bright that it will look to the naked eye as if a new star has been created. However, that appearance of a “new star” will only be temporary as the eruption will eventually dim into disappearance.
Will the nova explosion be visible from Earth?
The expected explosion will be so bright that it should be visible to the naked eye for around a week following the explosion. To see the spectacle, try your best to identify stars Arcturus and Vega. In between those two brightest stars in the Northern Hemisphere, onlookers should be able to locate the Corona Borealis.
Is a nova different than a supernova?
Yes, a nova and a supernova are not the same thing. A supernova occurs when a large star explodes and dies. A nova however also deals with an explosion but the dwarf star remains and releases accreted material throughout space. Moreover, the intact white dwarf star can even experience numerous nova events.
The post Look Up! Impending, Rare Nova Explosion Will Soon Be Visible To The Naked Eye appeared first on Secret NYC.