Find a Rare Nova Soon

A faint star about 3,000 light years away is about to explode, and you can see this "new" star when it appears if you know where and when to look. The nova, about as bright as Polaris, will remain visible for only a few days before disappearing back into the darkness.

If you want to image the rare event with your cell phone, start by finding the constellation Corona Borealis. In early spring the Northern Crown is visible only between about midnight and 6:00 AM, which is admittedly a sleeping challenge. Some familiar road signs can guide your stargazing.

From the handle of the Big Dipper, "follow the arc to Arcturus." Then star hop to Izar in Bootes and Gemma (or Alphecca) in Corona Borealis. If you see a third similarly bright second-magnitude star, it's likely the recurring nova T CrB, dubbed The Blaze Star.

After it rises in the east before midnight, with the Big Dipper upside down, the crown looks like a backwards C.

In early spring after midnight, star hop from the upside-down Big Dipper to find T CrB looking like a backwards C.

As the hours pass, the constellation moves westward across the sky, and the Northern Crown pivots to a more upright position until it looks like a C, high in the southwest sky.

In early spring before morning twilight, star hop from the Big Dipper to find T CrB, looking like a C.

The constellation Corona Borealis (with T CrB circled) above the Covington island; March 11, 1 AM.

Corona Borealis rising, as seen from Candlewycke island; March 8, midnight.

Corona Borealis appears above the road sign at the Oak Hill Ct. island; March 8, 11:45 PM.

Zooming in shows the camera picks up all seven stars of Corona Borealis with a 10-second exposure.

Corona Borealis visible above trees; looking east down Oak Hill Blvd.; March 8, 11:40 PM.

High to the south is Corona Borealis (T CrB circled); March 10, 6:40 AM.

Enlarged photo of Corona Borealis as seen over Bent Oak road sign; March 10, 6:40 AM.

CrB visible from Adams Rd. gate; March 13, 2025, at 6:53 AM.

From the Adams Rd. gate, in the morning hours CrB is visible high to the south.

As we segue into the warmer months, the pursuit gets easier because you can start looking for Corona Borealis shortly after sunset. That is, if the star hasn't erupted.

Again, see https://www.nightwise.org/nova-in-corona-borealis for details. Feel free to contact Chuck if you have Qs.

Wishing you clear skies and a visible exploding star.