The universe could bless stargazers with a “once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunity” of a 3000 light years away star system that will soon be visible to the naked eye from Earth, said NASA. The star system, T Coronae Borealis, also known as T CrB is expected to shine bright in the sky between February and September 2024.

The last time it exploded into a spectacle was back in 1946, and the next time this&nbsp;happens will be after 80 years.&nbsp;So this is indeed a rare event that many people might witness this year.

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<h2>The star system will become visible this year&nbsp;</h2>

The star system T CrB, normally has a magnitude of +10, which is quite far to see with unaided eyes. But during the Feb-Sep 2024 period, T CrB will jump to magnitude +2, making it quite bright to be seen with the naked eye. As per NASA, the star system will have similar brightness to the North Star, Polaris.

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Once its brightness peaks, it should be visible to the unaided eye for several days and just over a week with binoculars before it dims again, possibly for another 80 years.

This phenomenon of a distant star system changing its magnitude and becoming visible to the naked eye is called a nova outburst.

<h2>Corona Borealis constellation</h2>

The constellation Corona Borealis is also known as Northern Crown, which is a small, semi-circular arc near Bootes and Hercules. This is the site where the outburst will appear as a “new” bright star, as per NASA.&nbsp;
<img alt="Corona Borealis constellation" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fe60b0fd-1f77-4080-96a0-fc8912f95120" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/FindHercules_NSN896.jpg" />
This recurrent nova is just one of five observed within our galaxy. The phenomenon occurs due to the binary nature of the system T CrB, which consists of a white dwarf and a red giant.&nbsp;

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The proximity of these stars enables a fascinating process- as the red giant experiences instability due to rising temperature and pressure; it sheds its outer layers, which are then captured by the white dwarf.&nbsp;

Over time, the accumulated matter on the white dwarf's surface ignites in a runaway thermonuclear reaction, resulting in the spectacular nova visible from Earth.

(With inputs from agencies)

The universe could bless stargazers with a “once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunity” of a 3000 light years away star system that will soon be visible to the naked eye from Earth, said NASA.

The universe could bless stargazers with a “once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunity” of a 3000 light years away star system that will soon be visible to the naked eye from Earth, said NASA. The star system, T Coronae Borealis, also known as T CrB is expected to shine bright in the sky between February and September 2024. The last time it exploded into a spectacle was back in 1946, and the next time this happens will be after 80 years. So this is indeed a rare event that many people might witness this year. Also Read | Odysseus: New pics emerge as moon lander to be 'put to sleep' for lunar night The star system will become visible this year The star system T CrB, normally has a magnitude of +10, which is quite far to see with unaided eyes. But during the Feb-Sep 2024 period, T CrB will jump to magnitude +2, making it quite bright to be seen with the naked eye. As per NASA, the star system will have similar brightness to the North Star, Polaris. Also Read | 7,300-year-old underwater volcano eruption emerges as largest in history, reveals new study Once its brightness peaks, it should be visible to the unaided eye for several days and just over a week with binoculars before it dims again, possibly for another 80 years. This phenomenon of a distant star system changing its magnitude and becoming visible to the naked eye is called a nova outburst. Corona Borealis constellation The constellation Corona Borealis is also known as Northern Crown, which is a small, semi-circular arc near Bootes and Hercules. This is the site where the outburst will appear as a “new” bright star, as per NASA. This recurrent nova is just one of five observed within our galaxy. The phenomenon occurs due to the binary nature of the system T CrB, which consists of a white dwarf and a red giant. Also Read | Great Barrier Reef authority plans full survey after observing extensive coral bleaching The proximity of these stars enables a fascinating process- as the red giant experiences instability due to rising temperature and pressure; it sheds its outer layers, which are then captured by the white dwarf. Over time, the accumulated matter on the white dwarf's surface ignites in a runaway thermonuclear reaction, resulting in the spectacular nova visible from Earth. (With inputs from agencies)

A 'new' star will soon appear in the night sky, only to vanish for 80 years

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A 'new' star will soon appear in the night sky, only to vanish for 80 years