Tag: Supernova explosion

The Betelgeuse Supernova

This is a submission for Kevin’s No Theme Thursday

Image by Kevin from The Beginning at Last

Supernova

A supernova is an explosion of a star so violent that it can outshine an entire galaxy. It can occur when a super massive star’s core contracts (the death of the star) and as it reaches a critical point it triggers nuclear reactions that cause the star to explode. Alternatively, it can occur when a white dwarf star is triggered into runaway nuclear fusion by a collision with another star.

Depending on how far away the supernova is it can be as luminous as a bright new star, the moon, or a second sun. It occurs suddenly and lasts for several weeks or months before fading away. If a supernova shines bright enough, the other stars in the sky will vanish from view. We can’t see the stars during the day, not because of the blue sky, but because of the ambient light from the sun. 

This is also one major reason photos from space often lack stars in the black sky. If a supernova is close enough to earth it could destroy earth. Luckily there are no super massive stars close enough to earth to pose a risk.

Supernova explosion in the center of the Andromeda galaxy “Elements of this image furnished by NASA” It is essentially an enhanced photo of a supernova explosion in a neighboring galaxy. Stock Photo ID: 2495486227 by muratart.

The Betelgeuse Supernova

Betelgeuse the bright red star in the constellation Orion is thought to be close to going supernova, and when it does it will be about as bright as half a full moon in our sky but concentrated in a point. What does “close” mean? Some astronomers say within decades, some say within a few thousand years. Could Kevin’s beautiful picture above depict this future event?

Illustration of the Orion constellation. To find Betelgeuse, first find Orion’s belt, then look up to the left. The reddish star is Betelgeuse. It is visible at this time of year (on a clear night). Stock Vector ID: 1631025025 by Tedgun.

We are stardust

The first stars in the Universe were made of 75% hydrogen and 25% helium and trace amounts of Lithium, just like the entire Universe at the time. Heavier elements that could form rocky planets or other solid celestial bodies did not exist.

However, inside the cores of these stars, heavier elements such as carbon, oxygen, and iron were formed by fusion. These early stars are referred to as first generation stars. They tended to be large and ended their lives in massive supernova explosions. The dusty remains of these explosions became the building blocks of the second and third generation stars we see today as well as the planets, our bodies and all life. We are stardust.

The first-generation stars consisted of 75% hydrogen and 25% helium and trace amounts of Lithium. A second or third generation star like our sun is still mostly hydrogen and helium but also many other elements. The rocky planets circling the sun are mainly elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. Image credit NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI.

Finally, a 33 second YouTube video illustrating a Supernova (the creation of the Crab nebula)

Would you like to see Betelgeuse explode into a supernova in your lifetime?

To see the Super Facts click here