Jun 16, 2023 08:13 PM
https://theconversation.com/betelgeuse-s...ded-207432
EXCERPT: . . . If Betelgeuse does go supernova, what would it look like? The star is around 500 light years away. Following an explosion, we first would detect a rain of massless particles called neutrinos, which would be harmless to us. After that, the star would quickly brighten.
After one or two weeks it would shine with about the same brightness as the full Moon. Betelgeuse would then fade over the next several months but remain visible in the day time for six to 12 months. At night, you should be able to see it with the naked eye for another one or two years. But after that, we would never see it again – Orion would forever lose its red sparkle.
Is there any danger to us? Supernovas produce high energy particles called cosmic rays, which can get past the shield of the Earth’s magnetic field. But the amounts would be small compared to other radiation we receive for all but the nearest supernovas.
A supernova explosion would also create radioactive iron. In fact this substance has been found in Earth’s seabed and on the Moon, believed to have formed in a supernova explosion between 2 and 3 million years ago. That supernova was perhaps 300 light years from us, closer than Betelgeuse, but far enough to cause no major problems for life on Earth.
A very close supernova, closer than 30 light years, could cause major problems: the cosmic rays could cause ozone destruction and dangerous UV levels on Earth. It could reduce ozone by half over a period lasting hundred to thousands of years: this level is considered capable of causing an extinction event. But such a close supernova would be very rare, and may happen only once per billion years.
Ultimately, Betelgeuse may still be around for some time. And that’s good, as it is a fascinating and mysterious star. We still have a lot to learn from it... (MORE - missing details)
Starts at the 6:55 mark of the video below. This link might or might not take you directly to that point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QgLwpuDGhI&t=415s
New study claims Betelgeuse supernova imminent ... https://youtu.be/3QgLwpuDGhI
EXCERPT: . . . If Betelgeuse does go supernova, what would it look like? The star is around 500 light years away. Following an explosion, we first would detect a rain of massless particles called neutrinos, which would be harmless to us. After that, the star would quickly brighten.
After one or two weeks it would shine with about the same brightness as the full Moon. Betelgeuse would then fade over the next several months but remain visible in the day time for six to 12 months. At night, you should be able to see it with the naked eye for another one or two years. But after that, we would never see it again – Orion would forever lose its red sparkle.
Is there any danger to us? Supernovas produce high energy particles called cosmic rays, which can get past the shield of the Earth’s magnetic field. But the amounts would be small compared to other radiation we receive for all but the nearest supernovas.
A supernova explosion would also create radioactive iron. In fact this substance has been found in Earth’s seabed and on the Moon, believed to have formed in a supernova explosion between 2 and 3 million years ago. That supernova was perhaps 300 light years from us, closer than Betelgeuse, but far enough to cause no major problems for life on Earth.
A very close supernova, closer than 30 light years, could cause major problems: the cosmic rays could cause ozone destruction and dangerous UV levels on Earth. It could reduce ozone by half over a period lasting hundred to thousands of years: this level is considered capable of causing an extinction event. But such a close supernova would be very rare, and may happen only once per billion years.
Ultimately, Betelgeuse may still be around for some time. And that’s good, as it is a fascinating and mysterious star. We still have a lot to learn from it... (MORE - missing details)
Starts at the 6:55 mark of the video below. This link might or might not take you directly to that point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QgLwpuDGhI&t=415s
New study claims Betelgeuse supernova imminent ... https://youtu.be/3QgLwpuDGhI