Betelgeuse Supernova , Will Be Clearly Visible From Earth.
'Newsweek' reports that a spectacular night sky show might be in store for Earth as our stellar neighbor Betelgeuse nears its end.
Approximately 650 light years from Earth, Betelgeuse has been growing increasingly bright, reaching 142% of its normal luminosity in May.
Scientists believe this brightening is a sign the star may be preparing to go supernova.
When it occurs, the stellar explosion is expected to appear clearly in both the day and nighttime sky, appearing about as bright as a full moon.
The red supergiant, which is approximately 15 to 20 times larger than our Sun, is located in the Orion constellation.
[After the supernova] Betelgeuse would then fade over the next several months but remain visible in the daytime for six to 12 months, Albert Zijlstra, Professor of astrophysics at the University of Manchester, via 'The Conversation'.
At night, you should be able to see it with the naked eye for another one or two years, Albert Zijlstra, Professor of astrophysics at the University of Manchester, via 'The Conversation'.
But after that, we would never see it again—Orion would forever lose its red sparkle, Albert Zijlstra, Professor of astrophysics at the University of Manchester, via 'The Conversation'.
But after that, we would never see it again—Orion would forever lose its red sparkle, Albert Zijlstra, Professor of astrophysics at the University of Manchester, via 'The Conversation'.
'Newsweek' reports that the last supernova that was visible from Earth occurred in 1987, when SN 1987A reached its fiery end in the neighboring Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy.
Before that, SN 1604, otherwise known as Kepler's Supernova, occurred in 1604 and was bright enough to be visible during the day
