Read previewA nearby exploding star is due to offer a spectacular show that could outshine our North Star this year. The star, which is 3,000 light-years from Earth, is expected to burst in a gigantic explosion — known as a nova — in the coming months. This cosmic blast happens when a tiny white dwarf — the core of a dead star — is locked in the orbit of a giant red star. An artist's impression of a white dwarf exploding near a red giant. Nearby is an arc of four visible stars called the Corona Borealis.

---

Persons: —, Bradley Schaefer, NASA's, Schaefer, Vega, Pons, Brooks Organizations: Service, Star, NASA, Business, Louisiana State University, New York Times, NASA's Goddard Space Flight, Times, Corona, Canada Locations: Canada