Stargazers are in for a treat – T Coronae Borealis, or “the blaze star,” is set to light up the night sky any day now.

This recurrent nova will appear as a very bright star, comparable to the Northern Star, and will be visible without a telescope for a few nights before fading away.

The blaze star is actually two stars, a red giant and a white dwarf, that orbit each other. Materials are transferred from one star to the other until it triggers the explosion. Prior to the explosion, it dips in brightness.

This nova happens approximately every 80 year. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the public to witness this special astronomical phenomenon.

Veronika Dornan, a PhD candidate in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, can explain the science behind the blaze star, its significance, and what makes this nova so unique.

• “Novae aren’t that rare but ones that are bright enough to be seen without telescopes and have signs that they are imminent are extremely rare,” Dornan explains
• Dornan can be reached at: dornanv@mcmaster.ca