T-CrB the Christmas Star?

[Mark Wagner]

OK, way unlikely.

But still.  I've been wondering when this firecracker was going to go off this year.  I expected it could occur during GSSP, as a coincidental treat for attendees.  But, snake-eyes.

Then I expected it in the fall, hearing about the usual dip in the light curve occurring, thought to signal the nova start phase.  We're running out of time.

So, I started wondering about a really cool treat. An actual Christmas Star, rising rapidly from mag 10-12 to perhaps 2.  Suddenly.  Still hope.

I began wondering about its first notice, which occurred in 1866 with astronomer John Birmingham's observation.  But really, that's it?   No, I see it *may* have been observed in 1787, or even 1217, although I don't know where those dates come from.

Thinking the nova recurs every 88 years (which is incorrect) I divided that into the year 2024, resulting in an whole number (23) and .... really... the Star Of Bethlehem????

The nova period is thought to be roughly 80 years through.  Of course... there's no saying the period stays the same over long period (which 2000 years isn't).

Any guesses when this will happen?   I'll take 12/24 for the heck of it - Star Lotto.  Anyone here watching it?  I do wonder how far back this cycle began, and when the first observation was....

[KG]

I took a “pre nova” shot of Coronae Borealis, will take another after the event!

G

Sent from my iPhone -made in China😴

On Nov 14, 2024, at 11:06 AM, Mark Wagner <itsmar...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Dan Durkin]

Have you noticed where T Coronae Borealis will be with respect to the Sun on December 25? 😉

[Mark Wagner]

Daytime object in the way?

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[Ted Hauter]

Heh. Any time now :)

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[Lance Shaw]

I have followed T CrB since I joined the AAVSO in '97. My frequency was about once a month through the years, then once a week, starting about two years ago and now it's every clear night, if possible. What is cool, is that the student who made a discovery announcement in '46 is still alive. I have seen the dates you've listed as possible previous outburst observations, from history, but the jury is still out on that. 
It's now 78 years since the last eruption and the 'recent' dip in the light curve has spurred an absolute flurry of observing. It has been guestimated that visual observers are making an estimate of T CrB every six minutes. It is literally any day now. It's still in the evening sky about 20º up. As a curiosity, I placed it Christmas eve and that morning, roughly 5:30 am, it will be 34º up in the east. Well placed. My only concern is the speed at which this will take place. It will go from 10th mag to 2nd mag, in a matter of hours. And it will only remain visible to the unaided eye for an estimaged 7-9 days. I hope to be in the thick of it when it happens. The date you picked? Good as any and would really be great talking point.

Clear Skies Everyone!

Lance