T Coronae Borealis: a once-in-a-lifetime sight
T Coronae Borealis: a once-in-a-lifetime sight
Ever heard of the T Coronae Borealis? Wayne Schlingman, PhD, director of the Arne Slettebak Planetarium at The Ohio State University, introduces us to the elusive star seen only every 70-80 years.
If you get “FOMO” when it comes to once-in-a-lifetime cosmic events, you’ll want to be ready for the upcoming rare sighting of T Coronae Borealis. The reappearance of this star only occurs, on average, every 80 years in the constellation known as Corona Borealis, or the “Northern Crown.”
In this Knowledge Drop, Wayne Schlingman, PhD, director of the Arne Slettebak Planetarium at The Ohio State University, explains why this phenomenon occurs, what makes the star’s disappearing act possible, and how it relates to our sun.