Monday, Apr 29 2024 | Updated at 04:20 PM EDT

Stay Connected With Us F T R

Jan 17, 2017 04:44 AM EST

Ground breaking theories can be exciting. Which is why these two West Michigan Calvin College astronomers are excited to find out out that a star is going to explode.

But it is not going to explode right now. They predict that the star is going to explode in 2022. The reason why Dan Van Noord, a graduate from Calvin College and Lawrence Molnar, a professor at the school, are excited is because this will give them a chance to find out why stars explode and how they explode.

For the star gazing community, this is going to be one of the biggest light shows, as reported by Fox 17 News. The Northern Cross or Cygnus is going to provide astronomers everywhere a show to behold.

Van Noord, who is currently a software engineer, recently observed the star in 2013 during a conference. He attended it with his professor, Molnar. Back then, the two were not entirely sure but then Van Noord proved that it was a contact binary star. A contact binary star are two stars close to each other that they share one atmosphere. Ultimately, these two stars will fall into each other and explode.

Van Noord figured out that that an explosion will likely occur because the orbital period kept getting shorter each day. The two have been observing the star in the last four years.

Currently, the star is not visible from the Earth. However, once it nears the final stage, it will turn into a red nova. Molnar is excited to find out what causes these binary stars to explode, the time it takes and during what types of conditions.

However, this is still a theory. If there is a chance that they are wrong, either way they know it is a once in a lifetime chance to find out, as reported by Calvin College.

Check out this video from NewsBeat Social for a more detailed look into the red nova:

See Now: Covert Team Inside Newsweek Revealed as Key Players in False Human Trafficking Lawsuit

Follows Astronomy, stars, Calvin College, science, stem, research, Theory
© 2024 University Herald, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Must Read

Common Challenges for College Students: How to Overcome Them

Oct 17, 2022 PM EDTFor most people, college is a phenomenal experience. However, while higher education offers benefits, it can also come with a number of challenges to ...

Top 5 Best Resources for Math Students

Oct 17, 2022 AM EDTMath is a subject that needs to be tackled differently than any other class, so you'll need the right tools and resources to master it. So here are 5 ...

Why Taking a DNA Test is Vital Before Starting a Family

Oct 12, 2022 PM EDTIf you're considering starting a family, this is an exciting time! There are no doubt a million things running through your head right now, from ...

By Enabling The Use Of Second-Hand Technology, Alloallo Scutter It's Growth While Being Economically And Environmentally Friendly.

Oct 11, 2022 PM EDTBrands are being forced to prioritise customer lifetime value and foster brand loyalty as return on advertising investment plummets. Several brands, ...