NASA has announced a rare star explosion, or supernova, that is expected to be visible from Earth for about a week.

A small constellation in the Northern Celestial Hemisphere, approximately 3,000 light-years from Earth, is expected to witness a rare astronomical event. The star system T Coronae Borealis is predicted to undergo a nova event, which typically occurs roughly every 80 years.

Scientists are eagerly anticipating this event, with preparations underway to observe it, including by renowned instruments like the Hubble Space Telescope.

“This is a unique opportunity to witness one of the brightest novae in recent generations,” says Bradley Schaefer, professor emeritus at Louisiana State University and an expert on recurring novae.

Historical records indicate that T Coronae Borealis was observed in nova phases in 1787 by Francis Wollaston and in 1217 by Abbott Burchard. The most recent event occurred in 1946, and astronomers anticipate that a nova could be visible again between February and September 2024.

To fully appreciate this celestial phenomenon, it helps to understand the constellation Corona Borealis.

Corona Borealis, or the Northern Crown, features four named stars recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU): Alphecca, Kamui, Moldoveanu, and Nusakan. This constellation is associated with the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur and was cataloged by the 2nd-century astronomer Claudius Ptolemy. It remains one of the 88 modern constellations, situated between Boötes, Hercules, and Serpens Caput, where the nova is expected to appear as a new star.

For this rare celestial event, keep an eye on the Corona Borealis constellation.

A nova is a type of stellar explosion where a star’s luminosity suddenly increases by thousands to potentially 100,000 times its usual brightness, before gradually dimming back to its original state. The brightening phase can last from a few days to several weeks. The term “nova,” Latin for “new,” reflects how such stars can appear as new additions in the night sky.

Novas typically occur in binary star systems, like T Coronae Borealis, which consists of a red giant and a white dwarf. As the red giant sheds its outer layers, the white dwarf accumulates this material. The added matter heats up the white dwarf’s atmosphere, resulting in the observed nova.

Novas fall into several categories: classical, recurrent, and dwarf novas, all of which are types of cataclysmic variable stars. Unlike supernovae, which mark the end of a star’s life, a nova does not destroy the white dwarf but merely expels accumulated material, allowing the process to potentially repeat.

The Milky Way experiences roughly 30 to 60 novas annually, and they are also relatively common in the Andromeda Galaxy.

“Most novas happen without warning,” notes William J. Cooke, lead of NASA’s Meteoroid Environments Office. “However, T Coronae Borealis is one of ten known recurring novae in the galaxy. Based on observations of its last eruption in 1946, we expect it to dim before brightening again. T Coronae Borealis began dimming in March of last year, so some researchers predict it could go nova between now and September. However, predicting the exact timing remains uncertain.”

If you miss the T Coronae Borealis nova, here are some other notable astronomical events to look forward to this year:

• Total Solar Eclipse: April 8, 2024 (the last total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous U.S. until 2044)
• Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower: Early May (with rates up to one meteor per minute for Southern Hemisphere observers)
• Perseids Meteor Shower: Mid-August (no moonlight interference this year)
• Partial Lunar Eclipse: September 18 (visible from North and South America, Europe, and Africa, starting at 10:12 p.m. Eastern Time on September 17)
• Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS: Passing close to Earth from October 12 to October 19 (closest approach to the sun on September 28, 2024)
• Orionid Meteor Shower: September 26 to November 22 (peaking on the night of October 20 and the morning of October 21)
• Geminids Meteor Shower: Mid-December (expected to be bright despite strong moonlight)

Since the exact timing of the T Coronae Borealis nova is uncertain, it’s a good idea to regularly observe the night sky. As Sanober Khan beautifully expressed:

“Maybe life is all about twirling under one of those midnight skies, Cutting a swathe through the breeze And gently closing your eyes.”