Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
This summer, a rare stellar explosion will be visible to the naked eye, as predicted by NASA. The event is expected to occur between now and September.
Known as T Coronae Borealis or the "Blaze Star," this phenomenon is situated 3,000 light years away. It involves a white dwarf, a compact remnant of a deceased star about the size of Earth but with a mass comparable to our Sun.
The white dwarf's companion, an ancient red giant, is gradually being stripped of hydrogen by the white dwarf's gravitational pull. This process leads to a buildup of hydrogen on the white dwarf's surface.
When enough hydrogen accumulates, it triggers a massive thermonuclear explosion, ejecting the gathered material into space in a blinding flash. This event, known as a nova, differs from a supernova, which destroys the star.
The Blaze Star undergoes this recurring event approximately every 80 years and can repeat for hundreds of thousands of years. This event is particularly noteworthy due to its proximity to Earth.
Rebekah Hounsell, an assistant research scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, emphasized that this once-in-a-lifetime event will inspire a new generation of astronomers and scientists by providing a cosmic event they can observe and study.
NASA anticipates the event will be visible to the naked eye for about a week, offering a unique glimpse into the cosmic fireworks of our galaxy.
Dr. Hounsell noted that such events rarely repeat within a human lifetime, especially ones so close to our solar system. This spectacle will create opportunities for young people to engage with astronomy.
While the exact date of the nova is unknown, NASA expects it to occur sometime this month. Stargazers are encouraged to watch the skies for this memorable event.