NASA predicts bright return of 'zombie star' T Coronae Borealis in coming months
newsweek.com — November 1, 2024, 01:01 PM UTC
NASA reports that the "zombie star" T Coronae Borealis, located 3,000 light years away, is expected to brighten significantly in the coming months. This star, which usually cannot be seen without a telescope, may explode in a nova for the first time since 1946. T CrB is a white dwarf star that draws material from a nearby red giant star. This process leads to periodic explosions, occurring roughly every 80 years. The last expected eruption was in September 2024, but it has not yet happened. When it does erupt, T CrB will shine brighter than the North Star, reaching a magnitude of +2. The nova will be visible for about a week before fading away, returning to its dormant state for decades.