Documenting the recurrent nova T Coronae Borealis, T CrB, V*T CrB, the Blaze Star.
It is predicted that T CrB will nova sometime in 2024. I plan to collect a bit of data during every session to try to determine if there has been any change in magnitude.
The T CrB, also known as the Blaze Star, is located in the constellation Corona Borealis. It is about 2,630 light years from Earth. T CrB’s magnitude is normally about magnitude 10. Approximately every 80 years the star has an outburst to magnitude 2. The nova was observed in 1866 and again in 1946. There has been a pattern of changing magnitude which was also observed prior to the 1946 outburst which is fueling the expectation of an outburst in 2024.
T Corona Borealis Catalog Designations:
BD+26° 2765, HD 143454, HIP 78322, SAO 84129, 2MASS J15593015+2555126
Location:
Constellation: Corona Borealis
Right Assension: 15h 59m 30.1622s
Declination: 25:55:12.613
09/10/2024 – V*T CrB nova, The Blaze Star, 15 x 120 second exposures
Scope: SVBONY SV503 102ED, 0.8x Reducer/Flattener, 570mm FL, F/5.6
Camera: ZWO ASI294 MC Pro, Cooled to -10 C
ASTAP Magnitude: 9.487
09/08/2024 – V*T CrB nova, The Blaze Star, 15 x 120 second exposures
Scope: SVBONY SV503 102ED, 0.8x Reducer/Flattener, 570mm FL, F/5.6
Camera: ZWO ASI294 MC Pro, Cooled to -10 C
ASTAP Magnitude: 9.449
06/21/2024 – V*T CrB nova, The Blaze Star, 15 x 120 second exposures
Scope: SVBONY SV503 102ED, 1.0x Flattener, 700mm FL, F/7
Camera: ZWO ASI294 MC Pro, Cooled to 0 C
AstroImageJ Magnitude: 9.165
ASTAP Magnitude: 9.632
| Stacked Image | AstroImageJ Full | AstroImageJ Zoom |
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06/18/2024 – V*T CrB nova, The Blaze Star, 13 x 120 second exposures
Scope: SVBONY SV503 102ED, 1.0x Flattener, 700mm FL, F/7
Camera: ZWO ASI294 MC Pro, Cooled to -5 C
AstroImageJ Magnitude: 9.354
ASTAP Magnitude: 9.769
I am using AstroImageJ to calculate the estimated magnitude of the Blaze Star. I am still learning how to use AstroImageJ, but I believe the process I am using is providing a fairly accurate calculation of the magnitude. It is calculated based on the known magnitude of multiple other stars in the field of view.
| Stacked Image | AstroImageJ Full | AstroImageJ Zoom |
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06/07/2024 – V*T CrB, recurring nova, 1 x 300 second exposure
Scope: SVBONY SV503 102ED , 1.0x Flattener, 700mm FL, F/7
Camera: ZWO ASI294 MC Pro, Cooled to -5 C
AstroImageJ Magnitude: 9.175
Was only able to catch a single frame before the clouds started moving in.
