The Blaze Star Could Light Up the Night: T Coronae Borealis May Go Nova This Week

Astronomers say the recurring nova in the T Coronae Borealis system could erupt at any time, briefly brightening from a dim +10 magnitude to about +2—bright enough to see with the naked eye for roughly a week. Known as the Blaze Star, T CrB brightens every ~80 years and has only a handful of observed eruptions; predictions for the next outburst vary and none are confirmed. If it occurs, observers in Corona Borealis can use binoculars or a small telescope to track its evolution and watch for a rare, sky-changing event.