Stargazers and astronomy hobbyists from Calgary and nearby can look forward to another cosmic treat in addition to the upcoming total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8.

NASA has confirmed that there will be a nova explosion happening within the next few months before September 2024.

Last week, BBC published an article outlining the factors behind the galactic scale activity. About 2,000 light-years from Earth in between the constellations Hercules and Boötes lies a binary star system within the constellation Corona Borealis. One of these stars is a red giant that is orbited by a white dwarf star about the size of our planet but with a much higher mass. Hydrogen from the red giant is thrust on the dwarf star, which is eventually overloaded, causing a thermonuclear reaction that will give the appearance of a “new star” due to the brightness that is being dubbed a “once in a lifetime” event.

“It only happens about every 80 years, so the chance of me seeing it again is pretty low,” said Stephen Jeans, environmental science professor at Mount Royal and Ambrose Universities.

Public events to observe the phenomenon are expected to be held across the city including the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory (RAO), Telus Spark and Ambrose University, just as there will be observation events for the total solar eclipse (which will only be partial to Calgary). However, due to more unpredictable nature of the occurrence, nothing is currently scheduled for the nova.

“You don’t want to make any plans ahead of time,” said Phil Langill, professor of astronomy at the University of Calgary and director of RAO.  He thinks there is a strong possibility that the public will be able to come to RAO and engage with the telescopes. Langill hopes for clear dark skies on the day the nova explodes.

The nova explosion is expected to advance the knowledge of local researchers, Langill said.  RAO will use their spectrograph to analyze the light and for evidence of any elements released during the explosion.

“We’re going to measure very carefully to figure out what is going on in that part of the galaxy,” he said.

Unlike the eclipse, the sparser nova phenomenon is viewable through the naked eye (or at least the use of binoculars or a telescope if within the city limits) and will take place over an extended period.

“That’s a much more rare event,” said Raphael Slawinski, associate professor and chair with the Department of Chemistry and Physics at MRU.

“There’s nothing terribly energetic about a solar eclipse… whereas a nova is an extremely energetic event.”

Slawinski said the nova will be shining as bright as 100,000 suns.

How to get the best view

Calgary caters to all sorts of hobbies through clubs and organizations devoted to interests such as sports, animals, mechanics, history, games, and popular culture. Astronomy also has a way of bringing people together and spawning connections. 

“There’s a little astronomer in everybody that wants to look up,” said Langill.

Jeans expects to hold some “star parties” as a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) once they know when the explosion will take place. These gazing events will be open to the public as RASC is devoted to “sharing with the public the beauty of the night sky,” Jeans said.  

RASC’s Calgary Centre contains members of all ages from retired people to children as well as Canadians and newcomers who are thrilled about the upcoming explosion, said Jeans. Many of them are engaged in “citizen science” by collecting data information that is shared with universities. Members include people like “Starman” Don Hladiuk from CBC Radio’s Calgary Eyeopener. 

Jeans explains that RASC runs a youth group as well as social events that are not directly related to star gazing but involve drinks, snacks, and opportunities to talk with and meet people. 

“When things like these happen, you’d be surprised how that can spark interest in people,” said Jeans.

Calgary has the benefit of being situated on the right side of the planet and will get to experience the view with the rest of the northern hemisphere. 

“We’re actually very nicely positioned on the planet to see it,” said Langill. 

“There’s an interesting combination of the days getting longer and the nights getting shorter and the positing this thing in the sky at sunset, so it’s potentially visible in Calgary all the way into November.”

Calgary is no stranger to light pollution, but there are methods to getting around this. Langill recommends finding a big park away from streetlights or outside of the city and in the direction of the Rocky Mountains. One should be looking west and away from the city lights of Calgary because attempting to view the sky from east of Calgary would result in having to look at the city’s light pollution.

“You want to have the city behind you and your back, so you’re looking towards the darkness,” said Langill.

Information on when the explosion will happen can be found by monitoring websites such as NASA or Sky & Telescope. Local events will be posted on RAO’s webpage along with the RASC Calgary Centre’s website.