
The thermonuclear explosion of a star may soon become visible to the naked eye.
T Coronae Borealis (also known as T Cor Bor, T CrB and the Blaze star) will be as bright as the North Star, in what could be called a "once-in-a-lifetime event".
T CrB becomes visible every 80 years after a thermonuclear explosion on the surface of a star known as a white dwarf, about 3,000 light-years away.
The dwarf absorbs hydrogen from a neighboring red giant and this causes a build-up of pressure and heat that eventually causes the explosion.
Known as a nova, the burst is expected to become visible anytime between now and September, according to the Guardian.
This event is described by NASA as a "once-in-a-lifetime event".
While the spectacular phenomenon has been observed before, this will be the first time it will be studied with modern technology.
NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory's Large Array in New Mexico are among the instruments that will track the light.
NASA has a map of the Corona Borealis to help people determine where to look.