Archive

Archive for August 12, 2024

Ephemeris: 08/12/2024 – Expect a stellar explosion soon

August 12, 2024 Comments off

This is Ephemeris for Monday, August 12th. Today the Sun will be up for 14 hours and 9 minutes, setting at 8:52, and it will rise tomorrow at 6:43. The Moon, at first quarter today, will set at 12:07 tomorrow morning.

This is a reminder that we are expecting a once in a lifetime nova or exploding star in our skies fairly soon, maybe in a month or two. At least we’re hoping. Unlike many reoccurring events in astronomy this one cannot be predicted exactly since we’re not really sure what is happening. We have a general idea. The star is T Coronae Borealis which is in the Northern Crown constellation, which is a small semicircular stellar group near the star Arcturus which is a bright star found off the end of the handle of the Big Dipper. It is to the upper left of that star and the kite shaped constellation of Boötes of which Arcturus is at the base. The nova will appear as bright as Corona’s brightest star, but will fade in about 8 days below naked eye visibility. So it will be easy to miss.

The astronomical event times given are for the Traverse City/Interlochen area of Michigan (EDT, UT–4 hours). Times will be different for other locations.

Addendum

A Finder chart for the expected nova
A Finder chart for the expected nova. It should occur shortly in the constellation of Corona Borealis or the Northern Crown. It is designated T Coronae Borealis (T CrB) and it is in the West above the bright star Arcturus which can be found by following the curve of the handle of the Big Dipper. Created using Stellarium, LibreOffice Draw and GIMP.
Categories: Ephemeris Program, Nova, Observing Tags: ,