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The massive supernova that could annihilate life on Earth (but don't panic- experts say luckily
UK Daily Mail ^ | December 19, 2014 | Mark Prigg

Posted on 12/19/2014 7:00:13 AM PST by C19fan

It contains one of the biggest and brightest stars in our galaxy, weighing at least 90 times the mass of the sun. The Eta Carinae star system, however, also has a dark side - it could bring the end of life on Earth. However, the good news is that experts say this is 'extremely' unlikely - but cannot rule it out.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: astronomy; catastrophism; etacarinae; supernova
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when I look up at the Constellation Orion I wonder if the massive red star Betelgeuse has gone nova and just waiting for the light to finally reach Earth. It would be nice to see a visible supernova, of course from a safe distance, during my lifetime.
1 posted on 12/19/2014 7:00:13 AM PST by C19fan
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To: C19fan

Yes, but you must understand that our (this planet’s) irresponsible practice of generating anything liberals don’t like is likely responsible for that impending super nova...:0)


2 posted on 12/19/2014 7:02:24 AM PST by Gaffer
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To: C19fan

These guys can’t get some Climate “Science” money?


3 posted on 12/19/2014 7:03:40 AM PST by Paladin2
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To: C19fan

Bring it on.

Would be better than Hillary.


4 posted on 12/19/2014 7:06:13 AM PST by hadaclueonce (Ethanol is stupid.)
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To: C19fan
I wonder if the massive red star Betelgeuse has gone nova

Doubtful. While Betelgeuse is clearly within its death throes, it is not the type of star that goes nova. It will, over time, shrink as it uses up the last of its fuel and wind up a white dwarf and eventually a dark cinder of heavy materials.

5 posted on 12/19/2014 7:18:50 AM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts (Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are not inclined to commit crimes.)
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To: C19fan
The massive supernova that could annihilate life on Earth...

Women and minorities hardest hit!

6 posted on 12/19/2014 7:21:37 AM PST by Rummyfan
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To: C19fan

Who’s ready for another margarita? Damnit! We’re out of mix. I’ll go to the store and get some more mix before this thing blows up or burns us up or whatever.


7 posted on 12/19/2014 7:23:46 AM PST by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: Bloody Sam Roberts

From what I understand most estimates of the solar mass of Betelgeuse exceeds the minimum required for a supernova although as you mention if the lower estimated are true then it will just fade away.


8 posted on 12/19/2014 7:25:46 AM PST by C19fan
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To: C19fan

Do you mean to say that we’re all gonna die? We are DOOMED? Say it isn’t so! ;-)


9 posted on 12/19/2014 7:42:09 AM PST by spel_grammer_an_punct_polise (Why does every totalitarian, political hack think that he knows how to run my life better than I do?)
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To: Bloody Sam Roberts

Per wikipedia (for what that’s worth), there’s still an expectation that it will go nova:

“Like many young stars in Orion whose mass is greater than 10 \begin{smallmatrix}M_\odot\end{smallmatrix}, Betelgeuse will use its fuel quickly and not live long. On the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, Betelgeuse has moved off the main sequence and has swelled and cooled to become a red supergiant. Although young, Betelgeuse has probably exhausted the hydrogen in its core—unlike its OB cousins born about the same time—causing it to contract under the force of gravity into a hotter and denser state. As a result, it has begun to fuse helium into carbon and oxygen producing enough radiation to unfurl its outer envelopes of hydrogen and helium. Its mass and luminosity are such that the star will eventually fuse higher elements through neon, magnesium, sodium, and silicon all the way to iron, at which point it will probably collapse and explode as a type II supernova.[60][95]”


10 posted on 12/19/2014 7:46:10 AM PST by Little Pig
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To: C19fan

Don't panic it has four on the floor.

11 posted on 12/19/2014 7:50:57 AM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: C19fan

Uh-oh, how much is this going to cost me?


12 posted on 12/19/2014 7:58:44 AM PST by NativeSon ( Grease the floor with Crisco when I dance the Disco)
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To: C19fan
Let's turn on the juice and see what shakes loose...


13 posted on 12/19/2014 8:10:01 AM PST by Hatteras
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To: C19fan

If you say Betelgeuse 3 times in a row it will blow up.


14 posted on 12/19/2014 8:10:15 AM PST by minnesota_bound
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To: C19fan

I have my towel.


15 posted on 12/19/2014 8:13:38 AM PST by dfwgator
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To: C19fan

Umbrellas! Get yer umbrellas here! Don’t let cosmic radiation fry ya. Git yer umbrella today. Only $99.95 and I’ll throw in this rugged faux leather carrying case.


16 posted on 12/19/2014 8:15:30 AM PST by IronJack
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To: Little Pig

Without stars like this there would be no earth-like rocky planets.


17 posted on 12/19/2014 8:22:01 AM PST by WMarshal (Free citizen, never a subject or a civilian)
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To: WMarshal

And no Rocky or Bullwinkle!


18 posted on 12/19/2014 8:35:43 AM PST by 17th Miss Regt
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To: WMarshal

These supermassive stars during their lifetimes and when they blow are the greatest chemical factories in the universe. I believe they produce all the elements above carbon. Less massive stars can fuse up to carbon.


19 posted on 12/19/2014 8:40:59 AM PST by C19fan
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To: C19fan

Now see what Bush has done....we need new restrictions on stargazing so we can prevent this disaster. I’d say a 10% tax on all telescopes and match the tax on medical implements


20 posted on 12/19/2014 8:53:03 AM PST by terycarl ( common sense prevails over all)
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