Prediction: A Red Nova May Rival Polaris in 2022

[CygnusX-1]

Read about it here: New Scientist

Hear about it here: https://audioboom.com/posts/5202837-red-nova-in-constellation-cygnus-predicted-2022-ken-croswell-newscientist

 

[rootone]

Interesting article; didn't have to time to listen to the broadcast recording.
I was surprised to learn that contact binaries are fairly common, and can maintain that state for a long time.
(As opposed to inevitably merging within a quite short time frame)