A major explosion between two stars is set to occur between now and September. This is a rare astronomical event that happens approximately once every 80 years.
The binary star system in the constellation Corona Borealis often goes unnoticed by astronomy enthusiasts, as it is difficult to see these stars with the naked eye in the night sky.
Artist’s depiction of the interaction between two stars in the constellation Corona Borealis. (Image: Science Alert).
However, a rare event is approaching that will bring these two stars into the spotlight. Specifically, the interaction between these stars is expected to trigger a significant explosion.
According to NASA, the light from the explosion will travel through space, making it appear as though a new star has emerged in the sky, shining as brightly as Polaris, and it will be visible to the naked eye.
Scientists state that this event occurs only about once every 80 years, and this will be the third time humanity witnesses it. The previous occurrences were recorded in 1866 and 1946 by the Irish scholar John Birmingham.
Sumner Starrfield, an astronomer at Arizona State University, believes that new stars, also known as novae, typically have an explosion cycle of about 100,000 years.
However, the unique structure of the binary star system T. Coronae Borealis allows it to initiate a thermonuclear reaction in just about 80 years. The explosion will last only a few brief seconds, with temperatures potentially reaching 100-200 million degrees Celsius.
In addition to the total solar eclipse occurring in North America on April 8, this event could be considered one of the most significant astronomical occurrences of 2024.
