Why won’t the Blaze Star explode? (and how YOU can see it when it does)

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Why won’t the Blaze Star explode? (and how YOU can see it when it does)

The Blaze Star isn’t one star but 2. It’s a binary system with a white dwarf and red giant. The Blaze Star’s white dwarf has built up material on its surface, siphoned off from the red giant star. Periodically, it “can’t take no more” and explodes, about every 80 years. Despite the powerful explosion, the dwarf itself remains intact. And once things settle down, the Blaze Star (T Corona Borealis) will begin the decades-long preparation for futur…