A once in a lifetime event is coming that you don’t want to miss – A visible Nova!
For us on the ground it will look like a brand new, and very bright star, appearing in the night sky before disappearing again days later. All you need to do is figure out where to look and we’ve got you covered.
The star will appear in the Corona Borealis Constellation and we’ve created a simple guide to finding this constellation right here:
To celebrate this once in a lifetime event, MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory are hosting a Space Week competition on Instagram. We want to ensure as many people as possible are prepared to spot the “new” star so we’ll let you know if you’ve got the right constellation when you send us your photo.
✨ How to Enter:
- Capture an image of the constellation Corona Borealis between October 1st and 15th.
- Upload your photo to Instagram with the hashtag #NovaHunt
- Tag us @blackrockcastleobservatory to make sure we see your entry.
- Tell us where you are (County is fine) and if anyone is sharing the experience with you (Family, friends, a club…)
📅 Deadline: Submissions will be accepted from October 1st to 15th and we will announce a winner on the day the Nova explosion occurs!*
Prizes:
Winners will receive a family pass to visit MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory as well as this awesome prize pack:
The prize pack includes a sterling silver rocket ring from the European Space Agency, a Samantha Cristoforetti Barbie® Signature Doll, and more.
To better understand what’s actually happening with the Nova check out an episode of the BCO Podcast from earlier this year where we explain it (From 27:32 – 29:10)
*If the explosion occurs before October 1st send us your pictures and we’ll announce a winner on October 16th.
