A dim star known as “Blaze Star” or T Coronae Borealis (T CrB), located 3,000 light-years away, is expected to brighten significantly, potentially becoming visible to the naked eye for the first time since 1946. NASA predicts its brightness to increase from magnitude +10 to magnitude +2 by September 2024.
Location and Visibility
- Constellation: Blaze Star is situated in Corona Borealis, also called the “Northern Crown,” positioned between Boötes and Hercules.
- Finding Corona Borealis: It can be located by tracing a path from the Big Dipper’s handle through Arcturus and Vega, forming a faint curl of seven stars high overhead in the summer night sky.
Characteristics
- Recurrent Nova: Blaze Star is a recurrent nova, a rare occurrence in which a binary star system consisting of a red giant and a white dwarf undergoes periodic explosions.
- Explosion Cycle: Every 80 years, the red giant transfers matter onto the white dwarf, leading to an explosion. The last eruptions occurred in 1866 and 1946, with the star exhibiting similar brightness patterns prior to these events.
Implications
- Imminent Explosion: The recent brightening and subsequent dimming of Blaze Star indicate that it is following the pattern observed before previous explosions. Astronomers anticipate another explosion in the near future.
- Expected Visibility: Once the star peaks in brightness, it will be visible to the naked eye for several days and observable with binoculars or small telescopes for over a week.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the official name of the dim star expected to brighten significantly by September 2024?
- A) Vega
- B) Polaris
- C) T Coronae Borealis (T CrB)
- D) Arcturus
- Answer: C) T Coronae Borealis (T CrB)
- Which constellation hosts the Blaze Star?
- A) Ursa Major
- B) Corona Borealis
- C) Orion
- D) Cassiopeia
- Answer: B) Corona Borealis
- What is a recurrent nova?
- A) A star system with multiple planets
- B) A star that brightens periodically
- C) A binary star system with a red giant and a white dwarf
- D) A star that explodes once in its lifetime
- Answer: C) A binary star system with a red giant and a white dwarf
- What is the approximate frequency of the explosion cycle of the Blaze Star?
- A) 100 years
- B) 50 years
- C) 80 years
- D) 200 years
- Answer: C) 80 years
- How is the Blaze Star expected to become visible to observers?
- A) Through a sudden burst of light
- B) By emitting radio waves
- C) By gradually brightening until it reaches naked-eye visibility
- D) By emitting gamma rays
- Answer: C) By gradually brightening until it reaches naked-eye visibility