WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Astro Minute: A Cosmic Explosion
Episode Date: September 10, 2024Coming soon to skies near you: A once-in-a-lifetime stellar event. Learn where to spot it on today's episode of Astro Minute! ...
Transcript
Discussion (0)
Welcome to the Astro Minute where we're exploring the universe 60 seconds at a time.
I'm Lauren Smith and today we're on the lookout for a cosmic explosion.
Astronomers believe a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event is imminent, a recurrent nova that can easily be seen from Earth.
T. Corone Borealis, in the constellation Corona Borealis, is a binary star system comprised of a hot white dwarf procuring gas from its red giant companion.
About every 80 years, the stolen gas reaches a critical temperature, ignites, and is suddenly violently expelled into space.
Predicted for fall 2024, this nova will only be visible for a few days to the unaided eye,
appearing as a brand new star in the Corona Borealis.
To see it, look in the evening for bright red Arcturus in the west and Vega, the brightest star directly overhead.
A third of the way up from Arcturus to Vega will be the scene of this extraordinary event.
That's your Astro Minute.