Nova Outburst and T Coronae Borealis

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Questions and Answers

What causes the periodic nova outbursts in T Coronae Borealis?

  • The red giant sheds its outer layers onto the white dwarf. (correct)
  • The red giant collides with the white dwarf.
  • The white dwarf undergoes a nuclear fusion process.
  • The white dwarf absorbs matter from interstellar space.

How often do nova outbursts occur in T Coronae Borealis?

  • Every 100 years
  • Every 200 years
  • Every 50 years
  • Every 80 years (correct)

What is the expected visibility duration of the nova outburst from T Coronae Borealis?

  • Up to one month after the explosion
  • For several days to slightly more than a week (correct)
  • Only during the night of the explosion
  • A few minutes after the explosion occurs

What is the distance of T Coronae Borealis from Earth?

<p>3,000 light-years (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When was the last nova outburst of T Coronae Borealis observed?

<p>1946 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for a nova event to occur?

<p>A binary star system consisting of a red giant and a white dwarf (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is a nova explosion characterized in terms of brightness?

<p>It causes a sudden and dramatic increase in brightness (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What makes the upcoming T Coronae Borealis nova eruption unique compared to typical nova events?

<p>It can be observed without any special equipment (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the material shed by the red giant in a binary star system?

<p>It accumulates on the surface of the white dwarf (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the stars involved in a nova event?

<p>The system contains a dying star and a dead star (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Cause of T Coronae Borealis nova?

Mass transfer from a red giant to a white dwarf

How often does T Coronae Borealis erupt?

Approximately every 80 years

Nova visibility duration?

Several days to a week

Distance of T Coronae Borealis?

3,000 light-years

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Last T Coronae Borealis eruption?

1946

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Essential for a nova?

Red giant and white dwarf binary system

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Nova explosion characteristic?

Sudden, dramatic increase in brightness

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Unique aspect of this nova?

Visible without special equipment

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Where does red giant material go?

Accumulates on the white dwarf's surface

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Stars in a nova event?

A dying star (red giant) and a dead star (white dwarf)

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Study Notes

Nova Outburst

  • A nova occurs in a binary star system with a red giant and white dwarf.
  • Material from the red giant accumulates on the white dwarf’s surface.
  • This material eventually ignites, resulting in a bright nova explosion.

T Coronae Borealis

  • It is a binary star system located about 3,000 light-years away.
  • It is known for its recurrent nova outbursts, which happen about every 80 years.
  • The last outburst was in 1946.
  • The white dwarf star survives each nova event and will continue to have more in the future.

Upcoming Nova Outburst

  • NASA predicts that the next nova outburst for T Coronae Borealis will happen before September 2024.
  • The exact timing is difficult to predict.
  • The nova will be visible to the naked eye for several days, and even longer with binoculars.
  • It will appear as a bright star in the Northern sky.

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