Betelgeuse Is About To Go Supernova And It Will Shine Brighter Than Full Moon in the Night Sky, New Research Reveals

Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star located a little over 650 light-years from Earth, is on the brink of a spectacular end. Recent research suggests that this star, known for its pulsations and unusual brightness, is nearing the end of its life and is set to explode as a supernova within our lifetime.

This event, when it occurs, will be one of the most significant astronomical events of the century, creating a light in the night sky brighter than a full moon.

The Pulsating Giant

One of the largest stars visible to the naked eye, the massive, pulsating Betelgeuse is of great astronomical interest because of its erratic brightness. The outer layer of the star pulsates at a constant rhythm, expanding and contracting, changing its brightness. These pulsations were tracked in regular cycles of 185, 230, 420, and 2,200 days, also adding unpredictable variability. The 2019-2020 blackout was partly caused by dust eruptions, but also caused multiple cycle troughs. This pulsation, combined with the star’s enormous size and relative proximity to Earth, makes Betelgeuse a unique study target for astronomers.

Countdown to Explosion
The recent change in Betelgeuse’s brightness could be more significant than we thought. Previously published research suggests that red giants fuse carbon in their cores and, when depleted, take only decades to explode. The study claims that Betelgeuse is not only burning carbon, but is slowly depleting it. The end is only decades away once the carbon burning phase is complete. If this discovery is confirmed, it could be a rare opportunity for us to witness a supernova explosion in our lifetime.

Upcoming Supernova
The impending explosion of Betelgeuse will result in a supernova, a stellar explosion that will momentarily exceed the entire galaxy and release the same amount of energy the Sun is expected to release in its lifetime. Betelgeuse’s explosion produces light as bright as the full moon. Supernovae can do a lot of damage to neighboring planets in the galaxy, but Betelgeuse is far enough away to not do any damage, and yet is likely to be the first galactic first supernova since 1604. You can see some things front row.

Hours Passed
Research suggests that Betelgeuse will explode in our lifetimes, but the exact time remains unknown. This star could explode within decades, or it could explode in thousands of years. This uncertainty stems from the difficulty in determining Betelgeuse’s exact size and stage of its life. But recent changes in brightness and new research suggest that an explosion could happen sooner or later.

Betelgeuse’s supernova explosion will be a spectacular event and will provide astronomers with a unique opportunity to study supernovae up close. Continuing to observe Betelgeuse will undoubtedly help us learn more about the life and death of stars and deepen our understanding of the universe.