After an 80-year wait, the star T Corona Borealis, or T Cor Bor, may soon light up the night sky, drawing the attention of astronomers and stargazers alike.
Astronomers Anticipate Rare Celestial Event After Eight Decades
Astronomers Anticipate Rare Celestial Event After Eight Decades
Excitement Builds as Stargazers Prepare for T Corona Borealis Spectacle
In 1946, 15-year-old Michael Woodman made an astonishing discovery from his bedroom window—he spotted the star system T Corona Borealis shining brightly among the stars. At the time, he had no idea that his observation would signify a rare phenomenon, as T Cor Bor is known to erupt into brightness approximately every 80 years. This stunning memory was cemented when the Astronomer Royal confirmed him as the first person in the country to see T Cor Bor’s illuminating spectacle.
Now 94, Woodman recalls that night vividly and is among many amateur astronomers who have their eyes trained on the constellation Corona Borealis once more. With T Cor Bor currently dim, astronomers are preparing their telescopes in locations like the Dark Skies Reserve of Bannau Brycheiniog—cautiously optimistic for its imminent eruption. According to Dr. Jenifer Millard from Fifth Star Labs, locating T Cor Bor involves navigating from the Plough star to Arcturus, where the elusive spectacle is expected to light up for just a couple of days.
The phenomenon results from a white dwarf star siphoning material from a larger red giant in a cosmic interaction. As the white dwarf becomes overloaded, it eventually erupts in a nuclear explosion, briefly shining brighter than the stars surrounding it. Dr. Jane Clark from the Cardiff Astronomical Society describes this explosive event as akin to “the best Christmas tree in town.”
Past false alarms have tempered expectations, but Dr. Chris North from Cardiff University remains hopeful that signs currently indicate T Cor Bor may soon erupt, igniting excitement among the global astronomical community. Michael Woodman hopes to see T Cor Bor again, and if he does, he’ll be one of a rare few who have glimpsed this celestial event twice.
As anticipation grows, Woodman summarizes the collective sentiment perfectly: “Eighty years on, we're all looking at the skies again.” Whether he witnesses the event again or not, the excitement around T Cor Bor serves as a reminder of the awe-inspiring wonders of our universe.
Now 94, Woodman recalls that night vividly and is among many amateur astronomers who have their eyes trained on the constellation Corona Borealis once more. With T Cor Bor currently dim, astronomers are preparing their telescopes in locations like the Dark Skies Reserve of Bannau Brycheiniog—cautiously optimistic for its imminent eruption. According to Dr. Jenifer Millard from Fifth Star Labs, locating T Cor Bor involves navigating from the Plough star to Arcturus, where the elusive spectacle is expected to light up for just a couple of days.
The phenomenon results from a white dwarf star siphoning material from a larger red giant in a cosmic interaction. As the white dwarf becomes overloaded, it eventually erupts in a nuclear explosion, briefly shining brighter than the stars surrounding it. Dr. Jane Clark from the Cardiff Astronomical Society describes this explosive event as akin to “the best Christmas tree in town.”
Past false alarms have tempered expectations, but Dr. Chris North from Cardiff University remains hopeful that signs currently indicate T Cor Bor may soon erupt, igniting excitement among the global astronomical community. Michael Woodman hopes to see T Cor Bor again, and if he does, he’ll be one of a rare few who have glimpsed this celestial event twice.
As anticipation grows, Woodman summarizes the collective sentiment perfectly: “Eighty years on, we're all looking at the skies again.” Whether he witnesses the event again or not, the excitement around T Cor Bor serves as a reminder of the awe-inspiring wonders of our universe.
