Belelgeuse turning into a supernovae

[amalmirando]

With so much hype going around as to Betelgeuse turning into a supernovae in 2012, wonder whether it is possible to predict such an occurrence correct to at least a decade...

 

[yenchin]

With so much hype going around as to Betelgeuse turning into a supernovae in 2012, wonder whether it is possible to predict such an occurrence correct to at least a decade...

Short answer: No.
Long answer: Still no. Details at http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2010/06/01/is-betelgeuse-about-to-blow/"

 

[Nik_2213]

With a bit of luck, we'll see it blowing a really big, juicy, complex planetary nebula before it goes...

 

[ColonelKernel]

With a bit of luck, we'll see it blowing a really big, juicy, complex planetary nebula before it goes...

It's already doing that. The [image] resolution is so-so, but it's more than enough.

http://www.space.com/12051-bright-nebula-photo-supergiant-star-betelgeuse.html

 

[amalmirando]

Thanks for the update

 

[Chronos]

The triggering mechanism for core collapse supernova events is still very uncertain. The predictability appears to be on the order of millions of years.

 

[CosmicEye]

aww way to spoil the hype. I would die to see a crab nebula type explosion in my lifetime.

 

[Chronos]

So, a mere 500 years ago was not enough? Humans ... so demanding.

 

[CosmicEye]

I want it now! waaaaaaa!

 

[Said Harbieh]

For all we know it already blew up, after all when we look up at the night sky we are looking into the past... And yes Chronos is correct, the time taken for it to actually blow up is very long (for us). Just because it started the first stages of a supernova doesn't mean it's blowing up any time sooner :S

 

[DrStupid]

Belegeuse is one of the closest stars. If it blows up, can it nuke us?

As the rotational axis is not directed to Earth it shouldn't be that bad. But it would be an impressive sight.

 

[Jack21222]

Belegeuse is one of the closest stars. If it blows up, can it nuke us?

At over 600 light years away, it isn't that close. We'll be fine.