When it comes to looking up into the night sky, sometimes the unexpected is the best part. For 2026, this could mean a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to briefly see a new star where none existed before.
And unlike most celestial surprises, we already know roughly where to lift our gaze.
Situated some 3,000 light-years away in the constellation Corona Borealis is a binary star system poised for a rare thermonuclear display. Known as the “Blaze Star” (T Coronae Borealis or T CrB), this system features a high-drama pairing of a red giant and a dense white dwarf that has flared roughly every 80 years. And there are receipts to prove it.
“We’re not sure, but we think the first recorded observation of this nova dates from 1217,” the Boston Museum of Science wrote. “Somebody definitely wrote down an account of a nova in that year, and it may have been our buddy T CrB. Certainly the timing would be about right. It also may have been observed in 1787. It was definitely observed in 1866, and then again in 1946.”
When it flares, known as a phenomenon called a recurrent nova, this star system will jump from being invisible to the naked eye to shining nearly as brightly as the north star Polaris. During this brief window—likely only a few days to a week—it could become one of the brighter stars in the night sky before fading away again for nearly another century.
The catch (and the appeal) is that no one is exactly sure when the Blaze Star will get around to flipping its switch. Predicted dates for both 2024 and 2025 only ended in disappointment. With 2026 aligning with the roughly 80-year rhythm of past outbursts, however, astronomers have shifted some attention to late June.
But recurrent novae are fickle so treat this as an imminent possibility rather than a guarantee.
For the best views of this “new star,” trade the city lights for a designated Dark Sky Place. The American Southwest remains a solid choice, with Grand Canyon National Park’s annual Star Party scheduled for June 6 to 13, just as the nova’s expected window opens. For something a little more luxurious, consider a “Stargazer” tent at Under Canvas Grand Canyon or a glass-roofed dome at Clear Sky Resorts near Bryce Canyon.
To ensure you don’t miss the initial flash of this nova, download the Star Walk 2 or Sky Tonight apps. Both offer push notifications to keep you in the loop whenever the flare is confirmed.
To find it in the night sky, take your finger and trace along the handle of the Big Dipper to the bright orange star Arcturus, then over to the glowing blue star Vega. The constellation Corona Borealis sits between these two stars and is where the Blaze Star will make its brief, but spectacular, appearance.
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