Scientists are reticent to say Betelgeuse is about to go supernova, but they would like to see it happen. Betelgeuse is a young, massive star, it's rapidly burning through its life-sustaining hydrogen and helium. It is high overhead during the winter months in the constellation Orion. In fact, the star may have already exploded, we just can't see it yet because the light hasn't reached us. But if that were true, then similar events should have been reported in history. Then again, if Betelgeuse is closer to 15 times the mass of the Sun, as implied by a few other studies, and if it is rotating slowly, then it could take a million years or more to go supernova. It was about 6,000 light-years away, but was still bright enough to shine in the daytime sky. Its distance also means the light from Betelgeuse has traveled for 700 years to reach us. Scientists are closely monitoring a prominent star in the constellation Orion, and say it could be close to going supernova. The event would last about a year, then Betelgeuse would dim steadily, winking out of sight, forever. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. That's why scientists are paying particular attenuation now. It will be visible in the daytime sky, and it will cast shadows at night. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2020 Catholic Online. When Betelgeuse explodes, whether in the months to come or in the next 100,000 years, it will be an incredible, awesome sight to behold. Sign up for a chance to win an exquisite rosary! Betelgeuse’s supernova “would be so incredibly cool!” Nance told National Geographic. The weight of the hydrogen becomes so extreme that atoms get fused together in the core. Betelgeuse, classified as a red super-giant approximately ten times bigger than the sun. In the year 1054, a supernova took place in the Milky Way. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Thank you. Here's what that means. The event would last about a year, then Betelgeuse would dim steadily, winking out of sight, forever. If Betelgeuse is about to go supernova in our sky, we will know within weeks to months. How lucky we will be to observe something so rare; a profound miracle orchestrated by God through which creation happens anew. Then, as all the material inside the star collapses inward, it explodes with a final burst of violence. Due to its size and proximity, a mere 640 light-years away, Betelgeuse is generally the eleventh-brightest star in the night sky and second-brightest in the constellation of Orion. Almost every person has seen the orange star, which shines as one of the brightest in the nighttime sky. This results in fusion explosions, which is the same process that happens in a fusion atomic bomb. When this happens, the star can no longer support its own weight and collapses. Next, the helium is fused, forming heavier and heavier elements until the star begins fusing iron in its core. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. The star is estimated to be about ten million years old, and is on the brink of dying. According to models, this would make the star dim for a time. But with Betelgeuse, we could be seeing the beginning of a supernova for the first time. If Betelgeuse were to go supernova, then it would become incredibly bright, about as bright as the moon, rendering it easily visible during the day. Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. The event was recorded around the world. They can be so bright, we can detect them in distant galaxies. If there's enough helium, a new, smaller star will form. They aren't. Betelgeuse is a variable star, which means it becomes brightens and dims over time. But it's also possible it could happen now. In its place, telescopes will show observers an expanding ring of dust and glowing gasses for many centuries to come. Betelgeuse Supernova: Pre-Messiah Star of Jacob to Herald Gog Magog War With Iran. Betelgeuse marks Orion's shoulder. But when enough hydrogen clumps together into a star, something wonderful happens. From the elements formed in a supernova, new things can arise. Most believe the exceptional event is the result of coincidence, that the six-year and 14-month dimming cycles have merely coincided. These elements cannot be formed in any other way, they are only formed in the core of a star at the moment of death. By contrast, the Sun is five billion years old, and has at least another five billion years worth of fuel. In fact, it will be at least as bright as the full moon. Betelgeuse is a well-known red supergiant star in the upper left of the constellation Orion. The new star (remarkably dubbed "Lucifer") inspires both nations to lay down their arms and pursue peace. Back on Earth, astronomers are watching the star Betelgeuse unexpectedly dim, in anticipation of a possible supernova explosion. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. Scientists estimate Betelgeuse will go supernova within the next 100,000 years. Betelgeuse is a rogue wandering through the galaxy. In the Bible, a new star in the sky heralded the birth of Jesus Christ. That's of great value to scientists. Keywords: Betelgeuse, Alpha Orionis, supernova, star, LOS ANGELES, CA (Califorina Network) - In Arthur C. Clarke's book 2010: Odyssey Two, and the movie which followed, the ghost of astronaut David Bowman speaks to Dr. Heywood Floyd, warning that his crew must depart orbit around Jupiter. While Betelgeuse has dimmed many times in the past, this is the dimmest ever recorded in history. Perhaps if Betelgeuse does go supernova, it will be taken as a sign. That's far enough so that Earth will not be harmed by the explosion, which gives off deadly radiation. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. 'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education', Free PDFs: Hail Mary, Our Father, How to Pray the Rosary & more, MIRACLE: The miraculous healing that led to Carlo Acutis' beatification, Poverty is rising again, and it's time for a program to help struggling Americans. Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star, also known as Alpha Orionis. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! Hydrogen is the fundamental element of the universe, being the most simple of all. Copyright 2020 Catholic Online. Betelgeuse is so massive, if it were placed in our solar system, it would engulf everything out to the orbit of Jupiter. It was a sign of hope and a symbol of a promise to mankind fulfilled. Saint of the Day for Tuesday, Oct 20th, 2020. The name is often pronounced "beetle-juice" although this is the source of some dispute. Someday, those gasses will condense and over billions of years, new stars and planetary systems will form. In seconds, dense, heavy metals are formed, such as gold and uranium. Supernovas represent the death of stars, but they are also something wonderful. If that does not inspire faith, nothing can. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. When Dr. Floyd asks what's going to happen, Bowman replies, "Something wonderful.". In late 2019, Betelgeuse, the star that forms the left shoulder of the constellation Orion, began to noticeably dim, prompting speculation of an imminent supernova. Supernovas are rare events, and they are always detected after they begin. Shortly afterward, the planet Jupiter collapses into itself and forms a bright new star. If Betelgeuse is about to go supernova in our sky, we will know within weeks to months. When two hydrogen atoms are fused together, they become a single atom of helium. In the core of a star, this process happens millions or billions of times each second, depending on the star's size. The star will either return to its customary brightness, or it will brighten within days to become a daytime star. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Stay up to date with the latest news, information, and special offers. In the 2010: Odyssey Two, the world is on the brink of nuclear war between the United States and Soviet Union. And the cloud of dust given off in the supernova will eventually condense and form planets. Regardless of whether such a connection exists, or whether Betelgeuse is about to go supernova and shine forth in an inexpressible display of power and brilliance, the red supergiant’s unprecedented dimming gives reason for humanity to look up to … A star is a massive ball of hydrogen gas. The star will either return to its customary brightness, or it will brighten within days to become a daytime star. Perhaps it will inspire faith, and the world's leaders will pursue peace. But its light would be packed into a tiny pinpoint, making it difficult to look directly at it. The very gold in your wedding ring was created in a supernova. But it is close enough so the event will be bright. Our own solar system was formed in this way. The star has a short cycle of dimming over 14 months, and a longer cycle of dimming over a period of six years. That would be quite a spectacle, a supernova this bright would be unparalleled in human history. Betelgeuse is about 700 light years away. A tremendous quantity of energy is released as heat and light.