T Coronae Borealis Overview

T Coronae Borealis (T CrB)

• T CrB is a binary star system, located 3,000 light-years from Earth.
• T CrB experiences periodic nova outbursts, occurring approximately every 80 years.
• The last outburst was in 1946.
• Nova outbursts are caused by a red giant and white dwarf in close orbit.
• The red giant sheds its outer layers onto the white dwarf, increasing pressure until a nova explosion occurs.
• NASA predicts that the next nova outburst will occur sometime before September 2024.
• The exact timing of the next outburst is difficult to predict, but it may occur soon, possibly within a couple of months before the end of summer.
• The nova will be visible to the naked eye for several days, appearing as a bright star in the northern sky.
• Binoculars will provide a clearer view of the nova for a week.