When the bright star Betelgeuse explodes, it will be an impressive sight. The star’s explosion, known as a supernova, would be brighter than any planet and almost as bright as a full moon. It will be visible during the day and you can read a book under its light at midnight. It will last several months before disappearing, as happens with all supernovae.
But it’s not dangerous. For that I must become closer; Betelgeuse is about 650 light years away. So are there any stars that pose a threat to us?
To estimate how close a supernova is to causing serious damage Landwe have to observe the destructive capabilities of supernovae.
First, the shock wave from the explosion itself. But trust me: If you’re close enough to a supernova to not have to worry about the shockwave, then you’re close enough to a pre-supernova star that you’ve already received a lethal dose of radiation, and you should stay away. A long time ago.
Then, there was visible light. Even though it has a big impact and causes blindness, this will not be a factor that destroys our planet.
Speaking of energy production, most of the energy emitted by supernovae is in the form of neutrinos, ghost particles that almost never interact with matter. In fact, there are trillions of neutrinos passing through your body right now and I bet you don’t even realize it. So even if you had a supernova-sized neutrino in your face, it wouldn’t bother you.
But what about other wavelengths of light, such as X-rays and gamma rays? The good news is that supernovae don’t usually produce large amounts of high-energy radiation. But the bad news is that this is only relative. On any reasonable absolute scale (such as the number of gamma rays that will pass through the atmosphere), this amount is still high-energy radiation.
And finally, there are cosmic rays, particles that are accelerated almost to the limit speed of light. Supernovae are capable of producing large amounts of cosmic rays, which can cause serious damage.
Related: An extremely rare ‘failed supernova’ may have wiped a star from the night sky without a trace
An animation shows a core collapse supernova creating a neutron star or black hole. (Image credit: INAF/Maurice HPM van Putten et al., ApJL, 2024)
blast radius
So what makes X-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic rays so dangerous to Earth? This form of radiation has enough energy to destroy nitrogen and oxygen molecules. The elements are in earth’s atmosphere They prefer to float like molecules. But once they separate, they recombine in interesting and surprising ways (for example, they produce various nitrogen oxides, including nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas), which causes ozone depletion.
Without the ozone layer, the earth is vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation from sun. This not only means skin browns more quickly, skin burns more quickly, and skin cancer rates are higher. Photosynthetic microorganisms, such as algae, become vulnerable. In essence, they cook and die. And because they form the base layer of the food chain, the entire ecosystem collapses and there is a mass extinction.
For supernovae to be likely to occur in our galaxy, the dying star would have to be about 25 to 30 light years from Earth to remove at least half the ozone layer, which is enough to trigger all the previously mentioned negative effects. things.
And here’s some good news to help you sleep at night: There are no known supernova candidates within 30 light years of Earth. The closest candidate, Spica, is about 250 light years away, and no star has been a supernova candidate within 30 light years of Earth during its lifetime. So we’re safe on that, at least for now.
However, on longer time scales, things get more interesting because they tend to deal with entities that pose existential risks to the entire biosphere.
One of the fun things is ours solar system now enters Orion’s spiral arm Milky Wayand spiral arms are known for their high star formation rates (which is why they tend to stand out in images). But a higher rate of star formation means a higher rate of stellar death, which means a higher-than-average chance of getting too close for comfort in the 10 million years it takes us to cross.
Once all these factors are taken into account, you are left with an estimate of potentially deadly supernova encounters a few times every billion years.
In fact, some astronomers believe that there is a short distance a supernova caused a mass extinction 360 million years agowhich killed 75% of all species.
A gravitationally lensed view of a supernova seen by the James Webb Space Telescope. (Image credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, B. Frye (University of Arizona), R. Windhorst (Arizona State University), S. Cohen (Arizona State University), J. D’Silva (University of Western Australia, Perth ), A. Koekemoer (Space Telescope Science Institute), J. Summers (Arizona State University))
Don’t sleep on it
There is a slight caveat, however: this analysis only applies to ordinary, typical supernovae. There are also special cases where a dying star is enveloped in a thick layer of dust. When the supernova’s shock wave hit the dust, it released an avalanche of X-rays, which was followed by a burst of cosmic rays centuries later. This is a nasty double whammy: X-rays can travel more than 150 light years, weakening the planet’s atmosphereand then, several hundred years later, cosmic rays finished their job.
Then there are type Ia supernovae, which are activated when extremely dense white dwarfs (the remains of low- or intermediate-mass stars like the Sun) collect material from their orbiting companion stars. But white dwarfs are generally small and dark, making them harder to detect, and their evolution into supernovae is much more random. One day they just hang out and the next day they turn into a nuclear inferno.
Fortunately, the closest candidate is the binary white dwarf IK Pegasi, located about 150 light years away.
However, before you get too complacent, you should know about gamma-ray bursts, which result from neutron star mergers and hypernovae. They are much more dangerous because they are very powerful and the energy of the explosion is concentrated in a narrow beam that can pass through galaxies more than 10,000 light years away. Because gamma-ray bursts are much farther away than supernovae, they are more difficult to predict and plan for.
Sleep soundly!
Originally published in outerspace.com.
Sure! Here’s a cheeky and engaging take on the article about Betelgeuse and supernovae, peppered with humor in the style of those comedic legends:
The Supernova Show: When Betelgeuse Goes Boom!
Ah, Betelgeuse! It sounds like you would order it at a dodgy Italian restaurant, but it’s actually a massive star ready to put on a cosmic firework display that would put any New Year’s Eve bash to shame! Yes, folks, when Betelgeuse decides to let off some steam and explode into a supernova, it’ll be brighter than that one friend who insists they’ve also seen a ghost every time they visit a haunted house. Just imagine: a supernova that’s almost as bright as a full moon! You’d be able to read a book at midnight! Just make sure it’s not War and Peace; you’ll need more than a supernova’s glow to get through that epic saga.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind (and Radiation)
But before you grab your popcorn, relax! Betelgeuse is sitting pretty at about 650 light-years away. I mean, that’s practically next door in cosmic terms, but it’s not like we’ll be needing any sunblock for this particular stellar meltdown! That shouldn’t stop you from wondering: are there any starry threats lurking closer to Earth, ready to wipe us out before we even finish our morning tea?
Let’s dive into the potential danger of supernovae, shall we? If you’re close enough to worry about the shockwave from a supernova, sweetheart, you’re already toast. And by “toast,” I mean not just burnt toast but crispy, toasty-evaporated-you! Scientists assure us that if you’re within a ‘lethal radiation zone’, you’ve well and truly overstayed your welcome. You’d want to move away *years* ago—like, before you decided to finish that third helping of chips.
Neutrinos: The Most Boring Party Crashers
And let’s not ignore the neutrinos—those pesky little ghost particles that swarm around like uninvited guests at a party. They’re everywhere, flowing through your body as we speak, and honestly, they wouldn’t even say “hello” if they passed you in the street. So, good news! Even if you had a supernova-sized neutrino in your face, it wouldn’t bother you! You can thank your lucky stars (not Betelgeuse, though) for that.
Now, serious stuff: X-rays and gamma rays could put a real damper on our ozone layer party. They might not obliterate the planet outright, but they would make it feel like a cheap night out at a dodgy bar. You know the kind: bad drinks, and they take your skin straight off, while leaving your ecosystem gasping for breath. So, despite how peachy I’m making it sound, the rise of these high-energy rays isn’t exactly what you’d call an atmospheric improvement.
Cosmic Rays: The Culprits of Catastrophe
Let’s talk about cosmic rays—those cheeky little devils that can cause some serious damage! Imagine being blasted by particles that are like high-energy bullets traveling almost at the speed of light! These rays could potentially rattle our atmosphere like a pub brawl, leading to nasty repercussions for life’s tiny, soft-underbelly creatures like algae. Yup, just when they were getting comfy, thanks to their algae buddies, they could end up crispy snacks for the entire food chain. Talk about a diet plan gone wrong!
But Breathe Easy, We’re Safe For Now!
On the upside, no supernova candidates are lurking within a 30-light-year radius of Earth. Our closest starry neighbor likely to go kaboom is about 250 light years away, and let’s be real—you’d have to be pretty unlucky to be caught in the crossfire of stellar explosions with an average frequency of once every billion years! I mean, that’s like waiting for your pal to finish the last slice of pizza—utterly infuriating but you know it’s going to happen eventually!
Gamma-Ray Bursts: The Real Party Poopers
But wait! Before you go scoffing at cosmic calamities, let’s talk about the real villains in this tale: gamma-ray bursts. These relentless blasts may arise from instances of neutron stars getting a bit too friendly, and they’re dangerous, my friends! With beams of energy that slice through galaxies like a laser pointer in a cat convention, these events could potentially disrupt life from multiple light-years away. Before you know it, your quiet evening at home might be interrupted by the universe’s version of a bad hangover.
So, while Betelgeuse’s big moment may be an awe-inspiring spectacle—perfect for a Netflix show—just ensure you have some earplugs and a proper cosmic insurance plan just in case! At the end of the day, nothing like a little cosmic perspective to remind us that while we may worry about laundry and traffic, the universe is out there having a right old laugh, waiting to bedazzle us… preferably from a safe distance!
Sleep soundly, Earthlings. For now, at least!
Originally published in outerspace.com..
And there you have it! A sharp, humorous, and engaging commentary on the cosmic events surrounding Betelgeuse and supernovae that would make even the greats chuckle!
What would happen if Betelgeuse went supernova, and how would it affect Earth?
A dangerously close range to Earth. Our cosmic neighborhood is relatively safe, with no major stellar explosions brewing around the corner—unless, of course, you count all the terrestrial stressors like that leaky faucet in your kitchen or your neighbor’s questionable karaoke skills.
So, while Betelgeuse may one day decide to put on a dazzling light show that might be brighter than all your ex’s combined drama, we can comfortably sit on our couches, binge-watching shows, without fear of being blasted into particles. Even astronomers believe we’re safe for the foreseeable future, so put away that panic button and maybe pick up a book instead—just not *War and Peace*, because, let’s be honest, nothing can help you finish that one!
while the universe does present some spectacular and occasionally terrifying possibilities—like supernovae ready to wipe us off the cosmic map—it’s important to remember: we’re cozy for now! So, let’s keep sipping our drinks, enjoying the stars (literally, through telescopes), and maybe one day, when Betelgeuse finally decides to have a little explosion, we can throw a cosmic viewing party… from a safe and properly distanced position, of course! Cheers to a safe and fabulous night under the stars!
