Kentucky SkyTalk

Time: 8:00 PM - April 11, 2024

Location: Chem-Phys Room 179

Speaker: Dr. Ron Wilhelm

Title: T Coronae Borealis: A New Naked-eye Star is about to Appear

Near the end of March, it was announced that the star, T Coronae Borealis (T CrB), was about to go nova. This star system is comprised of a red giant star and an orbiting white dwarf star. When material leaves the giant and settles on to the white dwarf, a thermonuclear explosion can occur. For T CrB this explosion occurs about every 78 years. Previously, T CrB’s brightness dimmed before the last eruption in 1946 and it has dimmed again, suggesting the next eruption is imminent. It is now suspected that the nova could go off at any time before October 2024. When it does, that star will brighten to second magnitude, easily viewable with the unaided eye.

In my talk I will discuss how a nova occurs, what to expect from T CrB, and where to find the “new” star in the night sky. I will also discuss events that are occurring at the MacAdam Student Observatory as part of this big event. This includes our new website that will provide information about the nova including updated observations which will be made at the Observatory both prior to and at the time of the eruption. We want everyone to get the chance to witness this amazing event. https://observatory.as.uky.edu/t-crb