NEW: Once-in-a-lifetime nova will bring “new star” to the night sky

There have been plenty of exciting astronomical events this year, including the total solar eclipse and the colorful aurora borealis. Another very rare event is expected to happen by September, and it will be bright enough to light up the night sky.

Read on to learn more about the eruption of T Coronae Borealis (T CrB):

The last time this happened was in 1946

An event like this only happens once every 79 years, so you’ll want to keep your eyes on the night sky in the coming weeks. When the explosion happens, T CrB will shine brightly, resembling what will look like a new star and will be visible to the naked eye for roughly a week. Scientists believe it will be as bright as the North Star during this time.

Scientists haven’t pinned down an exact date or time of the nova, they are keeping close watch to T CrB, expecting it to happen by September of this year.

What is a nova?

The novae consist of a red giant star and a white dwarf approximately the size of the Earth.

“The larger star is dumping material onto the surface of its white dwarf companion; as material accumulates, the temperature keeps rising until a thermonuclear runaway is initiated.”

Bill Cooke, NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office Lead, Marshall Space Flight Center

As a result, T CrB will erupt, or nova. Unlike a supernova, which is the final explosion, a nova allows the white dwarf to remain intact and launch its accumulated material into space.

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