T CrB Nova Prediction and History

The Blaze Star, T CrB, in the constellation Corona Borealis is predicted to erupt this spring after an 80 year quiescent period.  Learn basic info about this star from Scientific American article at link -  https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/this-nova-will-soon-erupt-as-a-once-in-a-lifetime-new-star-in-the-night-sky/

To start your search for T CrB. find a June Night Sky Map HERE.  A more detailed finder chart of the constellation, Corona Borealis, and TCrB is HERE.  Both pdf file are courtesy from Astronomical League.

I became interested in witnessing this eruption after reading two articles on the American Association of Variable Star Observers website, aavso.org.  The first article, titled Jewel in the Crown provides a good overview from this amateur astronomy group.  The link to the article -  https://www.aavso.org/blog/T-CrB-jewel-in-the-crown.  Also, see a news article from AAVSO about a pre-eruption dip recorded in the Spring 2023.  This article makes prediction that the eruption will occur 2024.4 +/- 0.3.  The prediction corresponds to between Feb and Sept 2024 !!  See article at link - https://www.aavso.org/news/t-crb-pre-eruption-dip.

A technical review article explaining the physical process of Nova eruptions can be found at link - https://app.aavso.org/media/jaavso/2844.pdf

Find another version of T CrB story in Sky and Telescope Magazine article, at link Here

My recent imaging of the constellation on 17th and 24th of May; shows that T CrB has NOT erupted yet.  If you have binoculars, I would recommend finding Corona Borealis in the night sky on any clear night. 

7X binoculars with their wide FOV of approximately 9 degrees, can nicely frame this smallish constellation.  See Star Chart of the constellation below indicating location of T CrB with a circle.  Become familiar with this constellation, so you can witness its temporary transformation by the predicted Nova !!!  T CrB will shine for a few days as bright as the brightest star in the constellation. Click on the following link to see My Report Here, including images and finder charts that I used in my observing sessions. 

If I can master reliably locating this very dim pre-eruption binary system, T CrB; then I will make photometric measurements in the coming weeks at the KWU Observatory, If not, I hopefully will have a clear night or two to measure it during its eruption.

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