A mesmerizing spectacle may grace the skies this summer, capturing the attention of star gazers worldwide
A rare astronomical event might grace the night sky this summer, captivating stargazers with the appearance of what seems to be a new star. Though not a new celestial body, but rather a nova erupting roughly 3,000 light-years away from Earth, SSP reported. Located within the constellation Corona Borealis, this phenomenon occurs when a white dwarf star orbiting a red giant star attracts material from its larger companion. When enough mass accumulates on the surface of the white dwarf, a dramatic blast ensues, visible to the naked eye for a mere few days to a week.
Astronomer Gerardo Juan Manuel Luna from the Universidad Nacional De Hurlingham in Argentina describes this event as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, perfectly timed with the right instruments for observation. The binary system named T Corona Borealis, or T CrB, consists of the white dwarf and red giant stars, and scientists anticipate the nova's reappearance to take place anytime from now until September. It has been approximately 80 years since its last eruption in 1946, and astronomers envision a promising opportunity to gain deeper insights into these cosmic outbursts.
The name nova, derived from Tycho Brahe's 1573 report entitled "De Nova Stella," meaning "On the New Star" in Latin, refers to the discovery of a new object in the constellation Cassiopeia. However, modern astronomers now understand that novas stem from white dwarf stars, which are dense remnants of stars after shedding their outer layers. By absorbing material from a neighboring star, a white dwarf triggers a nova eruption.
As T CrB has undergone a period of intense brightness followed by a temporary decline, scientists speculate that a nova event is imminent. This pattern closely resembles the behavior observed before the previous eruptions in 1946 and 1866. For the upcoming event, researchers aim to facilitate comprehensive observations from multiple telescopes around the world and in space, covering a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The goal is to unravel the mysteries surrounding these cosmic phenomena.
Jessica Sokoloski, an astrophysicist at Columbia University, states that one of the primary questions is whether the white dwarf in T CrB gains or loses mass in successive eruptions. The nova's expulsion of material into space could potentially result in some of the ripped mass from the red giant sinking into the white dwarf, causing an overall mass gain for the compact star over time. This finding could shed light on the process leading to type 1a supernovas—explosions of great significance in star systems and galactic evolution.
Aside from investigating these mass dynamics, astronomers hope to delve into further unresolved enigmas connected to the Nova eruption. Specifically, they seek to understand the propagation of shockwaves through the gas nebula encompassing the red giant and ascertain the formation of dust within this extreme environment. Moreover, they eagerly anticipate any high-energy gamma rays that might be emitted, reminiscent of those first discovered from a nova in the binary system V407 Cygni in 2010.
While scientists cannot definitively predict when precisely the eruption of T CrB will occur or provide ample forewarning, the replication of T CrB's previous actions suggests that patient observers equipped with a clear view of Corona Borealis may have the privilege of witnessing this awe-inspiring celestial event come to life. Gerardo Juan Manuel Luna even believes that this event may be first detected by amateur astronomers who catch sight of the extraordinary spectacle.