T CrB: The star that shines every 80 yearsRare celestial event to light up night sky in 2024. Credit: newatlas.com

The night sky will soon welcome a new "star" that will be visible to the naked eye, even in urban areas. This dazzling display is a result of a powerful interaction between two neighboring stars that occurs every 80 years. T Coronae Borealis (T CrB), located in the Northern Crown constellation, may seem like an average star most of the time with a modest brightness of +10 magnitude. But once every 80 years, it suddenly transforms into a brilliant star with a magnitude of +2, rivaling the well-known North Star, Polaris. This extraordinary event occurred in 1866 and 1946, and it is expected to happen again between March and September 2024.

For 79 years, T CrB remains unremarkable and barely visible with binoculars. But during its 80th year, it becomes a prominent feature in the night sky, easily seen with the naked eye even in the presence of city lights. This exceptional outburst typically lasts for a few days, and with binoculars, it can be observed for just over a week before the star returns to its quiet state for the next few decades. Interestingly, astronomers have noticed that the star has already begun to dim, hinting that the next brightening event may occur earlier than expected.

So what causes this cyclical phenomenon? T CrB is not a single star, but a binary system composed of a white dwarf and a red giant in a close orbit. The red giant continuously loses gas, which is then captured by the white dwarf. Eventually, the white dwarf gathers enough hydrogen to trigger a powerful explosion known as a nova, causing it to grow in size and brightness. This short-lived burst of light is what we see on Earth as T CrB's sudden brightening before it begins its 80-year cycle again.

It's a once-in-a-lifetime event that is surely worth watching out for. As we wait for the next celestial show, we'll keep you updated on any new developments. Keep your eyes on the skies and witness the spectacular fireworks of T CrB.

Source: newatlas.com
Alton Shaffer
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