The projected collision of two stars could be the most exciting astronomical show in 2022. The event was predicted thanks to careful observation that began back in 2013 under the guidance of Professor Larry Molnar of Calvin College.
Together with his students and colleagues Karen Kinemuchi and Henry Kublinski, the scientist predicted that in 2022 there will be an explosion of a double star as Red Nova, and this will be visible with the naked eye, without the help of telescopes and binoculars. This is the first time that astronomers have managed to predict such an event as a new star.
The collision of the two stars will occur 1,800 light-years from Earth and generate a tremendous amount of energy that will increase the star's brightness 1,000 times and this is expected to continue for 6 months. If the prediction turns out to be accurate, Red Nova will become as bright an object in the sky as the North Star.
“When the stars fully merge, they will release as much energy as the Sun can release during its entire life,” Molnar said.
