How Can We Determine if a Star is Still Active or Already Dead?

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the challenge of determining whether a star is still active or has already died, emphasizing the limitations imposed by the speed of light. Participants highlight that the light we observe from stars reflects their state at the time the light was emitted, which can be millions of years ago. Consequently, our understanding of a star's current status is inherently delayed, as information can only travel at the speed of light. The conversation underscores the importance of recognizing the temporal disconnect between observation and reality in astrophysics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the speed of light and its implications in astrophysics
  • Basic knowledge of stellar life cycles and evolution
  • Familiarity with concepts of relativity and causality
  • Awareness of observational astronomy techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the life cycle of stars, focusing on stages from formation to supernova
  • Explore the concept of light-years and its significance in astronomical observations
  • Learn about the methods used to detect exoplanets and their host stars
  • Investigate the implications of relativity in astrophysical phenomena
USEFUL FOR

Astronomy enthusiasts, astrophysicists, and students studying stellar dynamics and observational techniques will benefit from this discussion.

Pattielli
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"Alive" or already "dead"

Would you please tell me how people can check out if a star is still active or already dead ? Since the lights we can see are unable to guarantee for its 'living'_ness, this is why i make this question...So please help..

Thank you very much,
 
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You mean because the light takes so long to reach us we don't know the state of the star "right now". And we don't, and can't. Information can only reach us at the speed of light, and causes can only effect us from sources whose light can have reached us.
 
You mean basing on causes and effects to know what we want to know or am i missing your points ?
 
I think you are getting there. Yes, causes and effects, due to relativity, must be connected by the ability of a light beam to get from the point of space and time of the cause to the pint of space and time of the effect. For instance, light moves at about one foot per nanosecond. Say something happens a yard (3 feet) away from me. I won't be affected by it until 3 nanoseconds have passed, the time for light to get from the something that happened to me. This isn't just about seeing, nothing about that event a yard away from me can affect me until those 3 nanoseconds have passed.
 
Thank you,
 

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