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The supergiant Betelgeuse, a huge star (part of the constellation Orion) that has fascinated astronomers for years, is smaller and closer to Earth, according to new estimates. Furthermore, it still appears to have several years to live, despite previous estimates that even tomorrow it may explode as a supernova.
Researchers from different countries, led by Dr. Meredith Joyce of the Australian National University, who published the relevant number in the Astrophysical Journal, estimated that Betelgeuse, which was thought to be more than the size of D. The Sun actually stretches around two-thirds of the Jupiter-Sun distance and its radius is approximately 750 times that of the Sun.
Its distance is now estimated at just 530 light years from Earth, 25% closer than previous estimates. Furthermore, scientists estimate that contrary to recent estimates that Betelgeuse’s explosive self-destruction is imminent, it will be at least another 100,000 years before the red supergiant runs out of “fuel” and dies in a catastrophic explosion.
Betelgeuse is one of the brightest stars in Earth’s sky and it’s been behaving strangely lately. Since late 2019, astronomers have noticed two reductions in its brightness, prompting speculation that it is preparing to “commit suicide.” But, as Joyce said, “the first decrease in its luminosity was due to a cloud of dust, while the second was probably due to vibrations from the star.” These vibrations are caused by pressure waves, basically sound.
When the giant star explodes, it will likely be the closest supernova explosion to Earth. The good news for our descendants (if any) is that, although closer to the new estimate, Betelgeuse remains far enough away from Earth for its eruption to have a significant impact.
Link to scientific publication here
Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
