T Coronae Borealis

[Graeme1858]

This is a before image of T Coronae Borealis (T CrB), aka the Blaze star, in the centre of the image. (North is to the left) It's a recurrent nova in the constellation Corona Borealis. As notified in the Marshall's Night Sky This Week Topic. It's a 10th magnitude double star so not naked eye visible. The more massive White Dwarf star is pulling matter off the larger Red Giant and every 80 years there is a nuclear fusion explosion on its surface which we can then see as a magnitude 3 or even 2 nova. This is about to happen in 2024!

So shall we start a TSS before and after thing? If people post up a few before images or visual descriptions over the coming weeks on this thread we will be able to see any changes and then when the nova happens we can document that too. Proper citizen science!

Coronae Borealis is the C shape constellation between Hercules and Boötes, on a line between Vega and Arcturus, about a third of the way from Arcturus. T CrB is just outside the northern crown close to ε CrB.

When it goes nova it will be as bright as α CrB, Alphecca, in the crown and completely change the look of the constellation. Definitely something to look out for.

Graeme

[messier 111]

So shall we start a TSS before and after thing?

I think it could be very interesting.