What is Blaze Star? Rarest Celestial Events in 79 years

The universe is about to put on an incredible show, and if you’re prepared, you won’t miss a second of it. The long-anticipated explosion of T Coronae Borealis (T CrB)—also known as the "Blaze Star"—is just around the corner, and for the first time in nearly eight decades, it will be seen bright enough to be seen with the naked eye

This rare celestial event will captivate skywatchers around the world. However, if you don’t plan, you might find yourself lost in the excitement, staring at the sky with no idea where to look. But don’t worry! With a little preparation, you can be among the few who truly appreciate this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon.

Here’s everything you need to know about TCRB’s upcoming eruption and how to spot it when it happens.

What Is the Blaze Star?

T Coronae Borealis is what astronomers call a "recurrent nova." It’s a binary star system, meaning it consists of two stars orbiting each other—a white dwarf and a red giant.

Every 80 years or so, the white dwarf pulls enough material from its companion, triggering a massive thermonuclear explosion. This causes a sudden brightening, making an otherwise invisible star shine brilliantly in our night sky for a short time.

Such eruptions have been recorded in 1787, 1866, and 1946—and astronomers predict that it’s about to happen again between 2025 and 2027.

When Will Blaze Star Explode?

As of March 27, 2025, it was witnessed, and now, further in the future, experts believe that it could happen in November 2025, June 2026, and in February 2027

Where to Look in the Night Sky

Blaze Star will appear in the Coron Borealis constellation, which means Northern Crown. This small, crescent-shaped collection of stars sits between Hercules and Boötes in the Northern Hemisphere.

Here’s how to find it:

1. Step outside at 10 p.m. (local time) on a clear night
2. Look for the Big Dipper high in the northwestern sky
3. Follow the curve of its handle to the bright star Arcturus
4. From Arcturus, trace a line down toward Vega (near the northeast horizon).
5. Halfway between them, you’ll find a curve of seven stars—this is Corona Borealis.
   

Once the explosion occurs, T-CrB will suddenly become as bright as the North Star—so if you know where to look, you won’t miss it!

How Bright Will It Be?

At its peak, the Blaze Star is expected to shine with a magnitude of +2, about the same as Polaris, the North Star. That means it will be visible without a telescope, but not as bright as planets like Venus or Jupiter.

However, if you’ve already familiarised yourself with Corona Borealis, you’ll be able to instantly recognise the new star when it appears, making the experience far more rewarding.

Why This Event Is So Special

Most bright celestial events—like supernovae—happen thousands or even millions of years apart. But this specific nova occurs once per human lifetime. If you miss it, you will not get another chance to view.

Final Tips for Skywatchers

• Check for updates: Follow astronomy news to know the exact moment the nova occurs
• Choose a dark sky location: City lights can wash out the view, so try to watch from a rural area
• Use a star map app: Apps like Stellarium or Sky Guide can help pinpoint Corona Borealis
• Be patient: The event will last several days to weeks, so don’t worry if you miss the first night.
  

With the right preparation, you won’t just see the Blaze Star—you’ll truly experience one of the rarest cosmic events of our time.