NASA scientists have announced that an impending nova event is set to occur this summer, where people on Earth will be able to witness a burst of light with the naked eye. The event involves an Earth-sized remnant of a dead star, with a mass similar to the sun, located approximately 3,000 light years away from our planet.
While the exact date of the explosion remains unknown, NASA is actively monitoring the situation. This rare and spectacular event is being described as a 'once-in-a-lifetime' occurrence by NASA's experts, offering a unique opportunity for individuals, especially young aspiring astronomers, to observe and study a cosmic event firsthand.
Unlike a supernova, which is a final destructive explosion of dying stars, a nova event involves a dwarf star that remains intact while releasing accumulated material into space in a blinding flash. This cycle can repeat over tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of years.
Key Tips for Stargazers
NASA has provided three essential tips for American stargazers interested in witnessing the nova event:
- The burst of light will be brief but visible to the naked eye for less than a week.
- Due to the unpredictable nature of recurrent novae, the exact timing of the event is unknown.
- Locating the burst of light may be challenging, but stargazers are advised to start by identifying the Northern Crown constellation and then scanning between Vega and Arcturus to find the Hercules constellation and Corona Borealis.
Historical Facts about the 'Blaze Star'
The 'Blaze Star' nova was first recorded in 1217 by a German scientist, and the last sighting from Earth was in 1946. The upcoming event presents a unique opportunity for scientists to observe the nova at its peak and study its decline, thanks to advancements in technology and the star's proximity to Earth.
Elizabeth Hays, chief of the Astroparticle Physics Laboratory at NASA Goddard, emphasized the importance of collecting data during the early stages of the eruption, highlighting the significant contributions that citizen scientists can make to the scientific findings.
