Betelgeuse new candidate for a supernova?

[Kaonohi]

According to a last Sunday Star-Advertiser article, the star Betelgeuse (the upper right {our left} shoulder of Orion) is a candidate for the next galactic super-nova.

The last visible supernova was in 1054 AD, and resulted in the Crab Nebula as its remnant.

It is likely to be the brightest object in our sky, second to the sun. Brighter than the full moon, it should be visible day and night, for perhaps as long as a week.

Naturally, some astronomers downplay the prediction, saying that it may go nova in the next five minutes or the next million years. Don't hold your breath!

Some astronomers predict it will go nova in 2011 or 2012.

I wonder what star went nova in the year '0' AD?


"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I've watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain."
Rutger Hauer, Blade Runner, 1982

[timkona]

Re: Betelegeuse new candidate for a supernova?

The BIG deal here is that the distance to the Crab Nebula is about 6500 light years.

Distance to Betelguese......about 600 (but could be closer).

[helen]

Re: Betelgeuse new candidate for a supernova?

Assuming we get to see the effects of the supernova this year or next year sort of means that Betelgeuse has already gone supernova.

[Kaonohi]

Re: Betelgeuse new candidate for a supernova?

Assuming we get to see the effects of the supernova this year or next year sort of means that Betelgeuse has already gone supernova.

Sorry Betelgeuseans (if there are any, as unlikely as it may be), I hope your super-sun has gone supernova in time for me to see it on Earth. I know, it is ultimately selfish, I have seen one total solar eclipse, two partials, and two lunars, plus an AWESOME meteor shower, but no really good comets (and none expected), so a supernova would be a good swan song for me. Not that I matter in the scheme of things.

From 1054 to 2011 is about 957 years, more than 1000 lifetimes, I guess I'm being greedy, but I'll take what I can get.

BRING IT ON!!!!!!!

[TATTRAT]

Re: Betelgeuse new candidate for a supernova?

for me, I think it would be amazing to witness. Not many have(in this lifetime). Some say, it's a supernova that the three wise men followed.