ABOUT THE EVENT
Phoenixville Public Library will host a free presentation, “When Stars Go BOOM: The Blaze Star”, on Monday, October 6, 6:30 PM, at the Library. The presenter is Dr. Donald Miller, a NASA Solar System Ambassador. From birth through adulthood to old age and eventual death, we are familiar with this progression for biological organisms. Stars have the same progression but on a much different timescale. They live long lives by human standards, converting hydrogen into helium and perhaps other elements if the star is of sufficient mass. This presentation will review the lifecycle of stars and the ways that they can die. Some go out with a beautiful cloud of gas while others literally go out with a BOOM. Our own sun will eventually swell and perhaps engulf the Earth before it ends in a white dwarf.
One particular star in the northern sky is about to put on a rare stellar display due to stellar aging. T Corona Borealis is too faint to been without a telescope. In a telescope, it appears as one star when in actuality it is two stars. One star has already ended its life and is sucking material from the still-living sister star. Eventually, this leads to an explosion which will make T Corona Borealis suddenly appear in the sky, visible to the naked eye. This presentation will review what we know about this interesting star. Come with your sense of wonder for the universe and any questions that you might have about the stars and all things astronomical.
This event is free and open to the public. The program will also be live-streamed on Zoom for those unable to attend in person. Registration is required at https://ccls.libcal.com/calendar/Phoenixville/when-stars-go-boom or by calling 610-933-3013 x132. Email mpinto@ccls.org for more information. Phoenixville Public Library is located at 183 Second Avenue, Phoenixville, PA.
610-933-3013 x132
