How to see 'super rare naked eye star explosion' in Scotland before it disappears for 80 years
Scotland is famous for the Northern Lights but we are set to experience a very extremely unique starburst soon
May brings many celestial events including a meteor shower only seen in Scotland once a year. And sometime in the next few months, astronomers predict a "new star" or nova explosion will become visible to the unaided eye.
Astronomers have been waiting expectantly for light from a distant explosion to reach us here on Earth. An event called a nova is anticipated to occur sometime in the coming months - and since it's not predicted again for another 80 years, you might just want to join the watch for this super rare, naked eye stellar explosion in the sky.
You may have heard about this months ago, as astronomers started keeping watch for the nova midway through 2024, but it hasn't happened yet. Scotland is spoiled when it comes to rare phenomenon like the Northern Lights.
However, predicting exactly when novas or any sort of stellar outburst will happen here is tricky.
Excitement began growing when astronomers observed the star to dim suddenly, much as it did right before its previous nova in 1946. When the nova finally does occur, it won't stay bright for long.
It will likely flare in peak brightness for only a few days.
Understanding where to see the starburst in Scots skies comes with understanding what is behind the star itself.
Some 3,000 light years away is a binary star system called T Coronae Borealis, or 'T CrB.', NASA explains.
It consists of a red giant star with a smaller white dwarf star orbiting closely around it.
The giant's outer atmosphere is currently all puffed up, and the dwarf star is close enough that its gravity continually captures some of the giant's hydrogen.
Around every 80 years, the white dwarf accumulates so much of the other star's hydrogen, that it ignites a thermonuclear explosion. And that's the nova.
T Coronae Borealis is located in the constellation Corona Borealis, or the 'Northern Crown,' and it's normally far too faint to see with the unaided eye. But it's predicted the nova will be as bright as the constellation's brightest star.
This is about as bright as the North Star, Polaris.
You'll find Corona Borealis right in between the two bright stars Arcturus and Vega, and you can use the Big Dipper's handle to point you to the right part of the sky.
The space agency recommends Scots try having a look for it on clear, dark nights before the nova, so you'll have a comparison when a new star suddenly becomes visible there.
Meanwhile, if you're more interested in the planets and where they move throughout the month, we have you covered. In the morning sky, Venus and Saturn are the planets to look for in May.
They begin the month appearing close together on the sky, and progressively pull farther apart as the month goes on. For several days in late May, early risers will enjoy a gathering of the Moon with Saturn and Venus in the eastern sky before dawn. Watch as the Moon passes the two planets while becoming an increasingly slimmer crescent.
Finally, you'll find the Moon hanging between Venus and Saturn on May 23.
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