A 'Blaze Star' That Vanishes for 80 Years May Reappear in 2026-Here's How to See It

"Situated some 3,000 light-years away in the constellation Corona Borealis is a binary star system poised for a rare thermonuclear display. Known as the "Blaze Star" (T Coronae Borealis or T CrB), this system features a high-drama pairing of a red giant and a dense white dwarf that has flared roughly every 80 years. And there are receipts to prove it."

""We're not sure, but we think the first recorded observation of this nova dates from 1217," the Boston Museum of Science wrote. "Somebody definitely wrote down an account of a nova in that year, and it may have been our buddy T CrB. Certainly the timing would be about right. It also may have been observed in 1787. It was definitely observed in 1866, and then again in 1946.""

"When it flares, known as a phenomenon called a recurrent nova, this star system will jump from being invisible to the naked eye to shining nearly as brightly as the north star Polaris. During this brief window-likely only a few days to a week-it could become one of the brighter stars in the night sky before fading away again for nearly another century."

T Coronae Borealis is a binary system about 3,000 light-years away in Corona Borealis, consisting of a red giant and a dense white dwarf. The white dwarf has produced recurrent thermonuclear novae roughly every 80 years, with recorded eruptions possibly in 1217, perhaps 1787, and definitely in 1866 and 1946. During an eruption the system can brighten from invisible to nearly Polaris-level brightness for only a few days to a week. Predicted 2024 and 2025 eruptions did not occur; 2026 aligns with the roughly 80-year rhythm, prompting attention toward late June. Observing favors dark-sky locations away from city lights.

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