Astronomers ready for dazzling but brief celestial show after 80-year wait

Astronomers are eagerly preparing for a spectacular celestial event that occurs only once every 80 years. This rare opportunity is taking place in the Dark Skies Reserve of Bannau Brycheiniog, located in south Wales. The story begins on a chilly February night in 1946 when a 15-year-old boy named Michael Woodman made an astonishing discovery while gazing out of his bedroom window. He was waiting for his father to return home when he noticed something unusual in the night sky. 'I saw the constellation of Corona Borealis, and one star in the ring was shining very brightly,' he recalled. 'I thought, 'I've never seen anything like that before. ' Michael was just a teenager when he spotted a star system known as T Corona Borealis, or T Cor Bor for short, which was exploding into brightness and could be seen for a few short days. 'I hit the jackpot,' he exclaimed, reflecting on his incredible find. Michael was the first person in the UK to witness this celestial event, and he still cherishes the memory. The Astronomer Royal even sent him a letter confirming his discovery, which he has kept all these years. Fast forward to today, and a new generation of stargazers is once again scanning the skies for T Cor Bor, as scientists believe it ignites approximately every 80 years. On clear nights, astronomers are setting up their telescopes in hopes of catching a glimpse of this elusive star. 'Currently, T Cor Bor is dim and not visible to the naked eye,' explained Dr. Jenifer Millard from Fifth Star Labs. To locate it, she suggests starting with the Plough constellation and following its handle to a bright star called Arcturus. Just to the west of Arcturus lies the curved constellation of Corona Borealis, where T Cor Bor is expected to shine. 'It will only be visible for a couple of days,' she added. However, if you have binoculars or a small telescope, you may be able to see it for a little longer. The brief appearance of T Cor Bor makes it all the more special. The phenomenon of T Cor Bor's brightness is caused by the interaction between two stars that orbit each other. One of these stars is a small white dwarf, which is essentially a dead star, while the other is a larger red giant star that is nearing the end of its life cycle. The white dwarf possesses an immense gravitational pull, allowing it to siphon material from its larger companion. 'The gravity on the surface of the white dwarf is a million times stronger than what we experience on Earth,' explained Dr. Jane Clark from the Cardiff Astronomical Society. If a person were to stand on it, they would be crushed instantly! Over time, the material that the white dwarf collects becomes compressed, eventually leading to a massive explosion known as a nova. 'When that happens, it shines like the best Christmas tree in town,' Dr. Clark noted. Astronomers believe this process occurs in a cycle, with T Cor Bor erupting approximately every 80 years. However, there are not many historical records of these events. There have been instances of false alarms when astronomers thought T Cor Bor was about to appear, only to be met with disappointment. Dr. Chris North from Cardiff University stated that astronomers worldwide are poised to witness this light show, which will provide them with an unprecedented opportunity to study the star in greater detail. He is optimistic that T Cor Bor could make an appearance soon. 'In the past, this star has dimmed slightly before erupting, and there are signs that it may be dimming again,' he said. Michael Woodman is eager to see T Cor Bor once more. 'Someone will take me out into the wild so I can have a good look,' he said. If he manages to catch another glimpse of the light show, he believes he will belong to an exclusive club of just one. 'Eighty years later, we are all looking at the skies again, not just me, but the whole world,' he said. 'If I see it, I will be the only one who has seen it twice. ' With a broad smile and a chuckle, he added, 'I just have to keep breathing!