The near-Earth giant star Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion has lost its brightness dramatically. Astronomers interpret this as a harbinger of an upcoming supernova. That would also have an impact on us.
- In our immediate vicinity in the Milky Way is making a move Supernova on.
- It’s about the giant star Betelgeuse,
- Should there be an explosion in the Alles would have an impact on them earth,
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Universe: Supernova in the constellation Orion suggests – Betelgeuse could explode
Munich – Something is happening in the night sky that could become a unique heavenly spectacle in human history. The gigantic star Betelgeuse – it is about 1000 times the diameter of our sun – could very soon become a supernova and explode, suspect Astronomers from Villanova University in the USA. Star death would also have a direct impact on us humans on Earth. Current observations give rise to this assumption.
Space: Red giant has dramatically lost its luminosity – harbinger of a supernova?
The “red giant“Betelgeuse (“ Hand of the Giant ”), the“ left shoulder ”in the constellation Orion, has dramatically lost its luminosity since October 2019. This can be seen even with the naked eye. So far, the star was in 6th place on the brightest objects night sky, he is still in 21st place. A project by Elon Musk and his SpaceX company also has serious effects on our night sky – people are currently observing unusual sky phenomena,
Some researchers see evidence of an upcoming supernova. Or a supernova, which has been happening for a long time and is now visible from the earth with a delay, because Betelgeuse is round 640 light years away. It is only a stone’s throw in the dimensions of the universe. The star Proxima Centauri, on the other hand, is only 4.2 light years from our sun. The position of the second Exoplanet Proxima c orbiting the star could change research findings in the long term.
Gigantic supernova: explosion in the universe would be visible to the naked eye from Earth
There has never been one before Starburst close to earth since we humans observe the universe. We earth dwellers could experience the spectacle up close – the exploded star would probably shine as brightly in the sky for weeks as only the one today full moon, The supernova would be visible even during the day.
Most recently, in 1604, our ancestors were lucky enough to be able to observe a supernova in the starry sky without using the latest telescopes. It is as Kepler’s supernova known because it was documented by the astronomer Johannes Kepler. This explosion took place in the constellation Snake Bearer, around 20,000 light years away. So not comparable to this extreme possible supernova in the Orion constellation.
This ESO graphic shows the neighborhood of Betelgeuse to our solar system.
© ESO, L. Calcada
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Stern Betelgeuse could explode: there is a risk for us humans on earth
But the imposing supernova could also pose risks for mankind – if only slightly. The reason are Neutron and gamma raysreleased in such a star explosion. The astronaut and physics professor Ulrich Walter of the TU Munich gives up Request the world The all-clear, because Betelgeuse is far enough away for this: “If a star explodes at a distance of up to ten light years, at least half of humanity would be exterminated. The acute outbreak of radiation lasts only a few hours. Only half of the earth, which then looks towards the supernova, is grilled by the neutrons and the gamma radiation. People could survive on the other side of the planet. ”
But Betelgeuse’s Supernova explosion would not be entirely without risk for humans. The earthly ozone layer could be harmed what to more UV radiation and with it one higher risk of skin cancer could lead.
The star Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion could soon die. Or even exploded long ago and we just haven’t seen it yet.https://t.co/xKOeH39vTu
– Deutschlandfunk Nova (@dlfnova) January 6, 2020
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Also read about the universe: British astronaut talks about invisible aliens on Earth
Supernova in the universe: will Betelgeuse actually explode in a timely manner?
However, it is currently unclear how realistic an impending supernova explosion is. Betelgeuse has never shone as darkly as it has since records have been made, but Astronomer Edward Guinan has another possible explanation for this. The usNational Geographic magazine, he said, Betelgeuse always has two cycles that overlap. His thesis: Currently the brightness minimum of both cycles simply coincide, that’s why the star appears so dark at the moment. This assumption can be easily confirmed or refuted: a period is 2070 days – so the star should be brighter again in a short time. If this does not happen, according to the astronomer Guinan, “everything is possible”.
But there are also other theses for the extreme loss of brightness. For example, extraordinarily large amounts of dust could have been thrown into space, which could affect the view. Density instabilities in the star could also be responsible for the fluctuations in brightness, like that Astronomer Sarafina Nace from the University of California told space.com speculates. Magnetic activity of the star is also suggested as a possible reason.
Space: Betelgeuse does not grow old – very different from our sun
Whether or not the supernova is still visible during our lifetime: Betelgeuse does not grow old in space standards. The red giant is currently around ten million years old – and is not predicted to have a much longer lifespan.
In contrast, our “little” sun is already 4.5 billion years old – and can hope to be only in the middle of its life cycle. In any case, we on earth should wish for this …
More fascinating discoveries in the universe
Researchers discovered a “pretzel” in space around 700 light years from Earth. This NASA photo is also fascinating: It shows a gigantic “rainbow bubble” in the universe. It is a remnant of a supernova.
An international team of researchers explored three black holes side by side in the core of a galaxy – an extraordinary discovery. We are talking about a “gravity monster”.
On Friday, January 10, you can first observe another special phenomenon in the evening sky: It is a partial penumbra eclipse of the moon. Only in 2022 will we have another chance to see a lunar eclipse in Germany.
A new planet that is the size of the Earth and is considered to be potentially habitable: This incredible discovery has now been made by a NASA research satellite.
The dark energy discovered in 1998 is a scientific revolution. But now a new theory contradicts the discovery that earned a Nobel Prize.
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Rubric list image: © ESO, L. Calcada
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