"Rare Nova Explosion: A Stargazer's Guide to Witnessing a New Star"

A once-in-a-lifetime nova outburst in the star system T Coronae Borealis, visible to the naked eye, will light up the night sky this year, providing an exciting opportunity for amateur astronomers and astrophysicists. Astrophysicist Jonathan Blazek explains that novae occur when a white dwarf strips gas from a red giant, leading to a thermonuclear reaction that makes the white dwarf brighter. These events are crucial for understanding the cosmos and may lead to the discovery of dark energy. This particular nova is of interest because it is a prime candidate for Type 1a supernovae, which are essential for mapping the universe.