Betelgeuse Might Explode within Our Lifetime, New Research Reveals

Betelgeuse, also known as Alpha Orionis, is currently in its terminal phase of core carbon burning and may have a supernova within our lifetime, according to recent study. 

Betelgeuse: A Supernova Waiting to Happen 

 

Nearly 650 light-years from Earth, the red supergiant star Alpha Orionis is about to come to a spectacular conclusion. This star, renowned for its pulsations and remarkable brightness, may be on the verge of a supernova explosion during our lifetime, according to recent study. When it happens, this phenomenon will rank among the most important astronomical occurrences of the century. 

The Pulsating Giant 

Due to its unpredictable brightness variations, Betelgeuse, one of the biggest stars that can be seen with the unaided eye, has drawn a great deal of astronomical interest. The star's outer layers pulse rhythmically, causing it to expand and contract and altering its brightness. The regular cycles of these pulsations have been seen to be 185, 230, 420, and 2,200 days, with other less predictable variations. 

A dust eruption contributed to the big dimming of 2019–20, although it was also a result of many cycles' troughs occurring at the same time. This star is a special focus of research for astronomers because of its pulsing, immense size, and close proximity to Earth. 

The Countdown to Explosion 

Perhaps the star's brightness has changed more recently than we initially assumed. According to a preprint study, when the carbon in the red giant's core runs out, it will only take a few decades for it to erupt. 

 

According to the study, the star is not only consuming carbon, but it is also beginning to run out. The end is just a few decades away once the carbon-burning phase is through. If this discovery is confirmed, it may provide us a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see a supernova explosion. 
 

The Uncertainty of Timing 

 

Alpha Orionis is predicted to explode within our lifetimes, but the precise date is still unknown. Either millions of years or a few decades could pass before the star explodes.

 

The ambiguity results from the difficulties in pinpointing the precise size and life stage of the star. Its brightness has recently changed, though, and the most current scientific findings indicate that the explosion might occur sooner rather than later. 

 

It will be a stunning event when Alpha Orionis explodes as a galactic supernova, giving astronomers a rare chance to observe a supernova up close. We will surely learn more about the birth and death of stars as we keep watching Alpha Orionis, which will further our knowledge of the cosmos.

 

Reference(s): Research Paper- Arxiv