For The First Time In Nearly Eight Decades, Stargazers Will Be Able To Witness The “Blaze Star” Explosion
Saturday, June 22, 2024, 4:00 A.M. ET. By Ryan Metz: Englebrook Independent News,
MANHATTAN, NY.- With the start of the summer solstice on Thursday, astronomers and stargazers alike are counting down in anticipation of the “Blaze Star” explosion. This celestial event, expected to occur in the next few months, promises to offer a spectacular display of light and energy in the night sky.
The Blaze Star, scientifically known as T Coronae Borealis (TCrB), is a rare type of variable star characterized by its erratic behavior and occasional outbursts. Typically, T CrB maintains a steady brightness similar to our Sun. However, approximately every few decades, it undergoes a dramatic increase in luminosity, brightened by several magnitudes in a matter of days.
The last recorded outburst of T CrB was in 1946, making the upcoming event highly anticipated by astronomers who are eager to study its behavior and understand the underlying mechanisms that trigger such explosive episodes. These outbursts are believed to result from the accumulation of material on the star’s surface, possibly due to interactions with a companion star in a binary system.
Although we will see the explosion this summer, it actually happened 3,000 years ago. Because the Blaze Star is 3,000 light years away from Earth, it has taken three millennia to reach us. “It’s incredibly exciting to have this front-row seat,” said Dr. Rebekah Hounsell, an assistant research scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.
During this peak brightness, the Blaze Star could become visible to the naked eye or with binoculars, depending on its exact magnitude increase. Astronomical observatories around the world are preparing to monitor and capture data on this event, utilizing advanced telescopes and imaging technologies to document its evolution and spectacular changes.
As the countdown to the Blaze Star explosion continues, astronomers and enthusiasts eagerly await the opportunity to witness and study this awe-inspiring display of cosmic fireworks. You can find information on locating the star and when to be looking, here: https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/marshall/nasa-global-astronomers-await-rare-nova-explosion/
