logo
Huge orange star above Earth could explode at any moment

Huge orange star above Earth could explode at any moment

Yahoo04-04-2025

Humanity may be about to experience the first supernova visible to the naked eye in over 400 years, as a supergiant star appears to be close to exploding.
Not one to be overshadowed by 'trade wars', actual wars and asteroids which were but now aren't a threat to Earth; it would appear one of the stars in the night sky may now be gearing up for a colossal cosmic event.
According to astronomers, the Betelgeuse red supergiant star, appears to be on its last legs due to its increasingly volatile behaviour in the past couple of years.
Situated in the Orion constellation, Betelgeuse is noticeable in the night sky thanks to its orange glow. However this may not be the case for much longer.
Back in 2019, NASA noted that Betelgeuse's brightness dimmed by about 60%, leading some scientists to wonder if it was entering a 'pre-supernova' phase, an event later explained as a a surface mass ejection.
Fast forward four years and the star would begin acting up once again, with The Guardian explaining that Betelgeuse was glowing and dimming at 'twice as fast as usual', and in 2024 the American Association of Variable Star Observers revealed how the star had dimmed by 0.5 in the opening months of the year.
So, what's going on?
Well it's a bit of a good news/bad news situation on that front.
It's impossible to predict exactly when the star will explode, however, scientists predict Betelgeuse will enter into a supernova anywhere within the next 10,000 to 100,000 years.
Which means you could very well look out your window tomorrow and witness a supernova — or this could happen on any of the other 99,999 years.
"We conclude that Betelgeuse is... a good candidate for the next galactic supernova," wrote the authors of one study, which predicted it could be in as little as 'tens of years'.
EarthSky adds that Betelgeuse is also between 430 light-years and 643 light-years away from Earth, so we wouldn't see it immediately.
For those who can vaguely recall their school science lessons, the death of a star is marked by an explosion, which ejects gas and various matter into the galaxy, before it collapses into a black hole.
Which would be very bad news — if the star was close enough to impact Earth.
Fortunately, this isn't the case with Betelgeuse.
Given that we're at a safe enough distance, astronomers are excited by the prospect of witnessing the Betelgeuse supernova. According to Big Think, the exploding star would 'shine approximately as brightly as the full Moon' and reach maximum brightness after around '10 days.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Panel sets markup of drone wildfire-fighting legislation
Panel sets markup of drone wildfire-fighting legislation

E&E News

time23 minutes ago

  • E&E News

Panel sets markup of drone wildfire-fighting legislation

A House committee will vote this week on a bipartisan bill that seeks to boost the use of drones in fighting wildfires. The Science, Space and Technology Committee on Wednesday will mark up the 'Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) Act,' H.R. 390. It would authorize NASA to conduct research under its existing ACERO wildfire program to develop 'advanced aircraft technologies and airspace management efforts to assist in the management, deconfliction, and coordination of aerial assets during wildfire response efforts,' according to bill text. The bill would authorize $15 million for fiscal 2026. Advertisement The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Vince Fong (R-Calif.) and co-sponsored by Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.). A previous version of the bill, sponsored by then-Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.), passed the House in 2024. Garcia lost his bid for reelection.

When is the Strawberry Moon? Best time to view the full moon from Texas in June 2025
When is the Strawberry Moon? Best time to view the full moon from Texas in June 2025

Yahoo

time38 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

When is the Strawberry Moon? Best time to view the full moon from Texas in June 2025

A Strawberry Moon will dazzle skywatchers on June 11. This year's Strawberry Moon will be a micromoon, meaning it will appear dimmer and smaller than usual. The moon is expected to be a shade of gold rather than a vibrant shade of red like a strawberry, if weather conditions allow. The spectacle marks the last full moon before the summer solstice, when we officially say goodbye to spring. The moon also will appear about 14% smaller and 30% dimmer because it will be near its farthest point from Earth. Date: Wednesday, June 11 Peak Illumination: 2:44 a.m. CT Peak illumination does not always coincide with the best viewing time, which occurs after the sun has fully set. Peak illumination marks the moment when the full moon is perfectly opposite the sun in the sky, reaching its maximum brightness. However, since the moon rises in the east as the sun sets in the west, it won't be fully visible until after sunset. In some cases, peak illumination can even occur in the morning or midday, making those times less ideal for viewing. June's full moon will be among the lowest in the sky of the year because of its low arc. Its moonlight will reflect the Earth's atmosphere, giving it a yellow or orange tint. On June 11, the full moon rises in the east shortly before sunset, which makes it the best time to see it from North America. Check the moonrise and moonset times in your location, then pick a site where you can see the eastern horizon at a low angle. Find specific times of moonrises and moonsets in your zip code on the Old Farmers' Almanac website. The Strawberry Moon marks the ripening of strawberries, traditionally harvested around June in the northeastern U.S. Other names include Birth Moon, Hot Moon and Blooming Moon. A micromoon occurs when a full moon or new moon coincides with apogee — the point in the Moon's orbit when it is farthest from Earth, according to A micro full moon appears about 12.5% to 14.1% smaller than a supermoon and 5.9% to 6.9% smaller than an average full moon. First Quarter: June 3 Full Moon: June 11 Last Quarter: June 18 New Moon: June 25 When a full moon coincides with a significant event, it is often regarded as a powerful symbol. For a birthday, it can signify emotional growth and new beginnings. A wedding under a full moon is thought to bring harmony, love and good luck. A birth on a full moon may suggest that the child has strong emotional depth and intuition. In all cases, the full moon adds an element of illumination, transformation and positive energy to the event. When a full moon coincides with the death of a loved one, it can represent closure and transition. The full moon is often associated with endings and completions, making it a poignant time for letting go. Some believe it offers a sense of emotional clarity, helping loved ones find peace and healing. Here are the remaining full moons in 2025. June 11 July 10 Aug. 9 Sept. 7 Oct. 7 Nov. 5 Dec. 4 This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: When is the Strawberry Moon 2025? See peak viewing time in Texas

Trump threatens to revoke SpaceX contracts amid Musk feud
Trump threatens to revoke SpaceX contracts amid Musk feud

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Trump threatens to revoke SpaceX contracts amid Musk feud

CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — President Trump threatened to revoke Elon Musk's government contracts amid their public feud, prompting Musk to suggest he might decommission SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft briefly. With SpaceX serving as NASA's primary transport to the ISS and a key player in upcoming Moon and Mars missions, experts warn that losing the company would leave the U.S. space program scrambling for alternatives. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store