These Night Sky Stars Are Going to Explode

TL;DR

Astronomer John Michael Godier discusses three stars, Antares, Betelgeuse, and WR 104, that are expected to explode in the future, posing no threat to Earth except in the case of WR 104, which has a small chance of causing a mass extinction through a gamma ray burst.

Transcript

This is the 100th video I've made for this channel since I first began uploading these videos in April of 2016. At the time, I only expected to make one video and did not expect to end up with many subscribers, needless to say, the numbers continue to amaze me. Thanks to all of you for that, the channel truly is something that I love and I look for... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤩 Antares, Betelgeuse, and WR 104 are stars on the verge of exploding, with Antares being the closest to its supernova event.
• 🤩 Red stars like Antares and Betelgeuse are easily observable due to their brightness and reddish hue.
• 🤩 WR 104 is a wolf-rayett star located at a great distance, making it too dim to see but potentially dangerous due to a small chance of a gamma ray burst.
• 🌟 The odds of significant damage from WR 104's gamma ray burst to Earth are low, considering factors such as the geometry of the burst and the alignment of the star's poles with our planet.
• 🫥 Antares and Betelgeuse's future explosions are expected to be visible from Earth, providing a spectacular cosmic event for future observers.

Questions & Answers

Q: What makes Antares and Betelgeuse observable to the naked eye?

Antares and Betelgeuse are both red stars, which makes them visible to the naked eye. Humans have difficulty perceiving the color red from dim sources, but these stars stand out due to their brightness and reddish hue.

Q: Is Betelgeuse already showing signs of its impending explosion?

Yes, Betelgeuse has already experienced a 15 percent shrinkage in less than two decades, suggesting that it doesn't have long to live. Its explosion, like Antares', will be visible from Earth.

Q: How dangerous is the potential gamma ray burst from WR 104?

While the odds are low, a gamma ray burst from WR 104 could cause a mass extinction on Earth if its poles are aligned with our planet. The geometry of the burst and its distance from Earth play significant roles in the potential damage.

Q: Is there a consensus among scientists regarding the threat of a gamma ray burst from WR 104?

No, there is no consensus. Some scientists believe a gamma ray burst is possible, while others think it's unlikely. The alignment of WR 104's poles with Earth is also considered low, reducing the chances of significant damage.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Antares, a red supergiant in the constellation of Scorpius, is expected to go supernova in about 10,000 years, potentially reaching or exceeding the brightness of the full moon.

• Betelgeuse, another red star in the constellation of Orion, is also on the brink of exploding and has shown signs of shrinking. Its end could be seen within the next 100,000 years.

• WR 104, a wolf-rayett star located 7500 light years away, is too dim to see but has a small chance of producing a gamma ray burst during a supernova, potentially causing a mass extinction on Earth.