A rare celestial event is expected in the coming months: Known as a “nova,” a cosmic eruption happening at some point in the next few months will resemble the emergence of a “new” star in the night sky, NBC News reported. It’s thought to take place some 3k light-years away in the T Coronae Borealis.

T Coronae Borealis hosts two stars in its solar system: A white dwarf (dead star) and a red giant that moves so closely in its orbit that it spills matter onto the red giant. “As matter accumulates on the surface of the white dwarf, it heats up and you get higher and higher pressure until bang — it’s a runaway reaction,” explained Louisiana State University emeritus professor in physics and astronomy Bradley Schaefer.

When was the last time it happened? 1946, according to Schaefer. The next time we might catch a nova in the sky is likely to happen 80 years from now.

What should you look out for, and when? At its brightest within 24 hours of the eruption, the nova will be as bright as the North Star, visible to the naked eye, and will last in the sky for around a week. As for when this will happen, it’s hard to predict. Schaefer and other scientists say explosion day could be today, but most likely will take place before the end of summer.

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