Although Betelgeuse is only around six million years old,[1] some regard the star's current variability as suggesting that it is already in the carbon burning phase of its life cycle, and will therefore undergo a supernova explosion at some time in the next thousand years or so. Skeptics dispute this contention and regard the star as being likely to survive much longer. There is a consensus that such a supernova would be a spectacular astronomical event, but would not — being so distant — represent any significant threat to life on Earth.
Even so, Betelgeuse would brighten at least 10,000 times as a supernova, causing it to shine with the luminosity of a crescent Moon. Some sources predict a maximum apparent magnitude equal to about that of the full Moon (mv = -12.5). This would likely last for several months. It would look like a brilliant point, the brightness of a full Moon with the color of an incandescent bulb at night, and easily visible in daylight. After that period it would gradually diminish until after some months or years it would disappear from naked eye view. Then Orion's right shoulder would vanish for a time until, in a few centuries, a splendid nebula would develop. However, if Betelgeuse's axis (one of its poles) is pointed towards Earth there would be tangible effects here. A shower of gamma rays and other cosmic particles would be directed at Earth. There would be spectacular aurorae and possibly a measurable diminution of the ozone layer with consequent adverse radiation effects on life. In such an orientation towards the solar system it would also appear many times brighter than if its axis were pointed away.
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Anonymous2007-02-15 17:37
Betelgeuse is 10 billion years old.
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Anonymous2007-02-15 17:54
Thinking about cosmology makes me neurotic. Imagine being in a capsule in the center of a neutron star.
If it breaks you'd be killed instantly!
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Anonymous from QC2007-02-15 20:53
I think the " if" here is quite off. Isn't there a @#$% ton of pressure at the core of a neutron star? If so, then said capsule would've broken already and you're dead, period.
Although, it's been awhile since I read about these things.
It hasn't supernovaed yet. Do you even know where in the night sky
Betelgeuse is? If you don't, STFU. I saw Betelgeuse two nights ago and the star has not changedc from when I looked at it in January.
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Anonymous2007-02-18 15:19
man why you spreading false rumors about my boy betelgeuse. i saw him two nights ago at orion's house and he hasnt changed from when i saw him in january.