V Sagittae nova might outshine Antares, Betelgeuse supernovas

29 September 2025

A binary stellar system consisting of a Wolf–Rayet (WR) star, and a larger main sequence star, known as V Sagittae, are predicted to erupt in a massive explosion, possibly before the end of the century*.

Presently the WR body is furiously feeding on the substance of its nearby companion. The stars orbit each other about every twelve hours, and are gradually drawing closer together.

When both collide, they will explode as a nova.

The remnant of the nova explosion will be visible from Earth during the day, so fierce will the event be. V Sagittae is ten-thousand light years away from Earth, so we will be well clear of the blast zone.

Two red giant stars, Antares and Betelgeuse, being about five-hundred-and-fifty, and six-hundred-and-forty light years respectively away, will explode as supernovas eventually.

Astronomers think Antares may last at least another one-million years, while they give Betelgeuse about one-hundred-thousand years.

My money has been on Antares going first, but that looks like a real outside chance. Instead, I will, where possible, keep my eyes on the Sagitta constellation, where V Sagittae is located.

* I’m not sure if the nova/explosion has already occurred and becomes visible before the end of the century, or the actual explosion takes place then, meaning it won’t be visible for ten-thousand years.