An astronomer has calculated the exact day a star will explode - and it’s this week

An astronomer predicts T CrB star to erupt on March 27, creating visible nova.

: Jean Schneider from the Paris Observatory predicts the T Coronae Borealis star system will explode in a nova on March 27. The last known explosion occurred almost 80 years ago and enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting the event. The prediction is based on calculations involving the star's orbital period of 227 days and seems likely as the star usually erupts every 128 orbits. Seeing the nova will be possible from the Northern Hemisphere and the star will appear as bright as the North Star.

Astronomers have been closely watching T Coronae Borealis, a binary star system 3,000 light-years away, for signs of an imminent nova explosion. According to predictions, a bright nova will be visible around March 27. The blaze star consists of a white dwarf and a red giant, and it typically erupts in a recurring nova every 79 years. Observers have been keenly following its behavior over the past decade, trying to catch this rare celestial event.

Jean Schneider's research from Paris Observatory aimed at pinpointing the next eruption of T CrB using an unconventional method. Instead of focusing on the physical behavior of the star, Schneider correlated past eruption dates with the system's orbital period. His numerical calculations indicate that the star undergoes a nova every 128 orbits. With each orbit lasting approximately 227 days, this pointed to a nova event on March 27.

If the prediction fails, Schneider's model provides alternative dates: November 10, 2025, and June 25, 2026. His previous date of August 12, 2024, was proven incorrect. It's important to note that Schneider's approach is purely statistical, based on cycle timing rather than physical processes. This means although the prediction is untraditional, it is exciting to observe whether it holds true.

T CrB consists of a white dwarf and a red giant. As gravitational forces pull hydrogen from the red giant into an accretion disk around the white dwarf, intense pressure and heat build up, leading to a thermonuclear explosion. Unlike supernovae, these explosions do not destroy the star itself but release energy into space visibly. The forthcoming nova will temporarily boost T CrB’s brightness from a magnitude of +10 to +2, making it clearly visible.

This rare nova will be observable from the Northern Hemisphere in the Corona Borealis constellation for approximately a week. Enthusiasts hope to witness this luminous event, considering its predictability is based on a long cycle of nearly 800 years. It offers a unique spectacle that will not reoccur for another 80 years, making this an unmissable opportunity for astronomers and stargazers alike.

Sources: NASA, Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society

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