Unlike the above video, the best theory for what causes this type of supernova requires two white dwarfs instead of one.

In a nutshell, UC Berkeley astronomers happened upon some data that classified a supernova (later creatively named SN2002bj) discovered in 2002 as Type II, which turns out to be pretty common, and realized the brightness and duration were closer to read more »

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Tags:Alex Filippenko, it blinded me with science, supernova
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In an intergalactic turn of seemingly apocalyptic proportions, our friendly neighborhood red giant is, according to UC Berkeley researchers, possibly about to explode.

Sound alarming? We kinda thought so too, although Betelgeuse, close proximity to our neck of the woods notwithstanding, apparently isn’t near enough to have any impact beyond a really fantastic light show should this supernova occur. In fact, if the rapidly shrinking star has indeed reached the end of its lifetime, it has probably already collapsed and we simply haven’t witnessed the grand finale, considering it’s about 600 light-years away.

Which, all in all, is a little disappointing. Not that we’re jonesing to cosmically combust … but you have to admit it’d be epic.

Image Source: shadarington under Creative Commons
Nearby Star May Be Getting Ready to Explode [FoxNews.com]

Posted in: Sci/Tech
Tags:Beetlejuice, red giant, supernova
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