NASA scientists are predicting a rare and spectacular celestial event this summer: the explosion of a dead star, creating a burst of light that will be visible to the naked eye from Earth. Known as a nova, the event is expected to occur in the constellation Corona Borealis and will be one of the brightest novae ever recorded.
NASA scientists are predicting a rare and spectacular celestial event this summer: the explosion of a dead star, creating a burst of light that will be visible to the naked eye from Earth. Known as a nova, the event is expected to occur in the constellation Corona Borealis and will be one of the brightest novae ever recorded.
The nova, dubbed "Blaze Star," is expected to explode sometime this summer, though the exact timing is unknown. When it does, it will create a blinding flash of light that will be visible for several days, reaching a peak brightness that will rival the stars in the Big Dipper.
NASA Predicts 'Once-in-a-Lifetime' Nova Event Visible to the Naked Eye This Summer
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime event," said Rebekah Hounsell, a nova expert at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "That will create a lot of new astronomers out there, giving young people a cosmic event they can observe for themselves, ask their own questions, and collect their own data."
Unlike a supernova, which is the final, catastrophic explosion of a massive star, a nova is a recurrent event that occurs when a white dwarf star, the remnant of a Sun-like star, accumulates material from a companion star. As the material builds up, it eventually reaches a critical point and triggers a thermonuclear explosion, blasting the accumulated material into space.
NASA Predicts 'Once-in-a-Lifetime' Nova Event Visible to the Naked Eye This Summer
The Blaze Star nova is expected to be particularly bright because the white dwarf star is relatively close to Earth, just 3,000 light-years away. Additionally, the white dwarf is thought to be accumulating material at a rapid rate, which will fuel a more powerful explosion.
NASA scientists are encouraging people to look for the Blaze Star nova after sunset during the summer months. The best viewing location will be from the Northern Hemisphere, where the constellation Corona Borealis will be visible in the sky. The nova will be brightest between the stars Vega and Arcturus, forming a triangle with the constellation Hercules.
NASA Predicts 'Once-in-a-Lifetime' Nova Event Visible to the Naked Eye This Summer
"Look up after sunset during summer months to find Hercules, then scan between Vega and Arcturus, where the distinct pattern of Corona Borealis may be identified," NASA said in a statement.
Scientists are particularly excited about this nova event because it will provide valuable insights into the behavior of these stars. By observing the nova at different stages of its evolution, researchers hope to learn more about the thermonuclear explosion process and the formation of new elements in the universe.
NASA Predicts 'Once-in-a-Lifetime' Nova Event Visible to the Naked Eye This Summer
"It's equally critical to obtain data during the early rise to eruption – so the data collected by those avid citizen scientists on the lookout now for the nova will contribute dramatically to our findings," said Elizabeth Hays, chief of the Astroparticle Physics Laboratory at NASA Goddard.
The last time the Blaze Star nova was visible from Earth was in 1946, making this year's event a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for skywatchers. With its proximity to Earth and predicted brightness, the Blaze Star nova is sure to be a spectacular celestial spectacle that will captivate the imaginations of people around the world.
NASA Predicts 'Once-in-a-Lifetime' Nova Event Visible to the Naked Eye This Summer
