Chapter 1: The Threat of Betelgeuse's Explosion

A question often posed on my Ukrainian channel is about the potential threat posed by Betelgeuse's explosion. If it were to go supernova right now, would we be able to witness it with the naked eye? Currently, Betelgeuse stands out as one of the most luminous stars in the night sky, located in the constellation Orion alongside other bright celestial bodies. This red supergiant is nearing the end of its life cycle.

If Betelgeuse were to explode, we would only become aware of it approximately 600 years later, as that’s the time it takes light to traverse the distance from the star to Earth. Supernovae release an astounding amount of light, with peak luminosity potentially surpassing the total luminosity of all stars in its galaxy. The brightness typically escalates over the course of a week, maintains its peak for a few days, and then gradually diminishes over two to three weeks.

How bright would Betelgeuse be if it exploded? According to scientific estimates, it would likely be classified as a Type II supernova, appearing around 500 million times brighter than our Sun to an observer in its own system. However, since we are not in proximity to Betelgeuse, calculations suggest that from our viewpoint on Earth, its brightness would be roughly equivalent to half of the Moon's brightness. This means Betelgeuse would be visible both day and night, manifesting as a prominent dot—larger than a typical star but not as intense as the Sun. In the daytime, it would stand out as a bright spot, while at night, it would resemble a luminous point comparable to the Moon.

Unfortunately, accurately predicting the angular size of a Betelgeuse supernova visible to the naked eye remains a challenge. The last observable naked-eye supernova occurred in 1006 AD, and its remnants can now be viewed through telescopes as a nebula. Historical accounts describe its brilliance, stating that it was bright enough to cast shadows at night. In comparison, the anticipated Betelgeuse explosion is estimated to be around 16 times larger than that of the 1006 supernova.

Considering all factors, scientists generally agree that Betelgeuse is unlikely to explode within the next 100,000 years. While supernova events do occur in our galaxy every few centuries, predicting such occurrences remains exceedingly difficult. Ultimately, Earth's inhabitants are not in any danger from a potential Betelgeuse explosion.

In the video titled "What Would Happen If Betelgeuse Burst Right Now?", we explore the potential implications and visibility of a Betelgeuse explosion.

Additionally, the video "Is the Star Betelgeuse a Danger for the Earth?" discusses the threat level Betelgeuse poses to our planet.

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