T Coronae Borealis: A New Naked-eye Star is about to Appear
Date/Time
4/11/2024
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Eastern
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Eastern
Event Type(s)
Kentucky science event
Event Description
Dr. Ron Wilhelm
University of Kentucky
Location: University of Kentucky, Chem-Phys Room 179
Near the end of March, it was announced that the star, T Coronae Borealis (T CrB), was about to go nova. This star system is comprised of a red giant star and an orbiting white dwarf star. When material leaves the giant and settles on to the white dwarf, a thermonuclear explosion can occur. For T CrB this explosion occurs about every 78 years. Previously, T CrB’s brightness dimmed before the last eruption in 1946 and it has dimmed again, suggesting the next eruption is imminent. It is now suspected that the nova could go off at any time before October 2024. When it does, that star will brighten to 2nd magnitude, easily viewable with the unaided eye.
University of Kentucky
Location: University of Kentucky, Chem-Phys Room 179
Near the end of March, it was announced that the star, T Coronae Borealis (T CrB), was about to go nova. This star system is comprised of a red giant star and an orbiting white dwarf star. When material leaves the giant and settles on to the white dwarf, a thermonuclear explosion can occur. For T CrB this explosion occurs about every 78 years. Previously, T CrB’s brightness dimmed before the last eruption in 1946 and it has dimmed again, suggesting the next eruption is imminent. It is now suspected that the nova could go off at any time before October 2024. When it does, that star will brighten to 2nd magnitude, easily viewable with the unaided eye.
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