"Since its rotational axis is not toward the Earth, Betelgeuse's supernova would not cause a gamma ray burst in the direction of Earth large enough to damage its ecosystem even from a relatively close proximity of 520 light years."
Also it would take 520 years to get here anyway...
But I suppose that makes no difference because the first we'd know about it would be the gamma burst. What we're really discussing here is "Has Betelgeuse already gone Boom?"
Also it would take 520 years to get here anyway...
The thing about distances measured in lightunits, causality propagates at that same speed. So if we see it happening now, for us, causally (not casually) speaking, it is happening now.
It's just futile for us to try to do anything to stop it, because it is impossible for our reaction to have an effect on it for another 520 years (like sending a radio signal saying, "Frood, it appears that your star's just exploded! Are you all right?").
Nova Post! (Score:4, Funny)
Boom!
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Seriously - If it goes supernova we should be a bit worried because it's close enough to drown us with radiation.
If that happens all our petty bickering on this planet will seem insignificant.
Of course - it's not certain that the radiation will be strong enough to kill off all life, but things will probably change a lot.
Re: (Score:5, Informative)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betelgeuse [wikipedia.org]
Re: (Score:2)
Also it would take 520 years to get here anyway...
But I suppose that makes no difference because the first we'd know about it would be the gamma burst. What we're really discussing here is "Has Betelgeuse already gone Boom?"
Re:Nova Post! (Score:3, Insightful)
Also it would take 520 years to get here anyway...
The thing about distances measured in lightunits, causality propagates at that same speed. So if we see it happening now, for us, causally (not casually) speaking, it is happening now.
It's just futile for us to try to do anything to stop it, because it is impossible for our reaction to have an effect on it for another 520 years (like sending a radio signal saying, "Frood, it appears that your star's just exploded! Are you all right?").