A 15-year-old schoolboy named Michael Woodman discovered on a chilly February night in 1946 that would spark his love of the stars and provide him with the experience of a lifetime. Michael, who lived in Newport, had been anticipating his father’s return home when he noticed something through his bedroom window.
“There was the constellation of Corona Borealis, but in the ring of the Corona, the second star down was bright – very bright,” he said. “And I thought ‘I’ve never seen anything like that before.'”
Uncertain of the result, Michael hurriedly draughted a letter to the Astronomer Royal, intrigued and thrilled by what he observed. He continued, “And bless me if the Astronomer Royal didn’t reply, with a letter I’ve still got,” grinning at the recollection of his audacity as a teenager. He is now 94 years old.
Michael saw a rare celestial event; what was it?
That night, Michael saw a unique celestial phenomenon: the star system T Corona Borealis, also known as T Cor Bor, around 3,000 light years away. After a few brief days, the system abruptly burst into light. When two stars—one a red giant and the other a white dwarf—interact in a violent cosmic dance, the result is an event called a nova.
The astronomy community took notice of T Cor Bor. “I hit the jackpot,” Michael grinned as he considered his momentous finding. According to the Astronomer Royal, he was the first person in the UK to witness the nova and spot it.
Why Are Younger Stargazers Hoping to See T Cor Bor Again?
A new generation of stargazers is now watching the skies for T Cor Bor’s return, decades after it first appeared. Astronomers estimate that the star system ignites roughly every 80 years, generating a spectacle that attracts attention globally.
“T Cor Bor is dim at the minute—it’s magnitude 10, well below what you can see with the naked eye,” explains an astronomer. Discover the Plough first, then follow its handle to Arcturus to discover the region of the sky where it should appear. From there, the path will be indicated by the curving Corona Borealis constellation.
The astronomer says, “The star will only be visible to the naked eye for a couple of days.” However, you can view it a little longer with binoculars or a small telescope. What makes it so unique is its brief time in the sky.
What Leads to T Cor Bor's Explosive Display?
The interaction between two orbiting stars causes T Cor Bor’s dramatic outburst. The dead star draws material from the red giant, the white dwarf’s more prominent neighbor. The white dwarf’s tremendous gravitational pull compresses the material to the point of causing a nuclear explosion.
“The gravity on the surface of the white dwarf is a million times the gravity we feel on Earth, so if we stood on it, we would be crushed instantly,” according to an astronomer.
The material accumulates over time, leading to an abrupt release of energy. Going nova is the process that makes the star shine brightly, like “the best Christmas tree in town,” as the astronomer puts it.
Why Do Scientists Think T. Cor. Bor Will Promptly Erupt Again?
Although there are few trustworthy recordings of this occurrence, astronomers estimate that T Cor Bor explodes once every 80 years. There are indications that the star may soon return to view despite several false alarms in the past.
An astronomer is optimistic. They add, “There are indications that perhaps it’s just dipping a little bit in brightness right now, and it seems like in the past, this has dimmed a little bit before it actually erupted.” “So maybe that’s a hint that it’s getting close to its eruption.”
If Michael Woodman sees T Cor Bor again, how will he react?
The possibility of seeing T Cor Bor once more excites Michael Woodman. “Someone will get me into a car and take me somewhere in the bush to obtain a respectable look. We’re hoping for that,” he says, looking forward to another chance to see the spectacular show that characterized his childhood.
He smiles and continues, “If I see it, I’ll be the only one who’s seen it twice.” “Eighty years on, we’re all looking at the skies again, not only me, but the whole world apparently.”
You can feel the excitement in his heart. He laughs, his comments light-hearted yet brimming with the enthusiasm of someone who understands the moment’s importance: “Got to keep breathing.”
What Can We Learn About the Universe from T Cor Bor's Return?
Michael’s story reminds us of the transient beauty of uncommon occurrences as astronomers prepare their telescopes and stargazers gaze aloft. Once exclusively visible to a select few, T Cor Bor’s fleeting burst of brightness will soon be seen by many—a fantastic sight that enthralls everyone lucky enough to view it.
