Year 1054. By late June / early July, a new object appears in the sky. Dimmer than the Sun and the Moon, but visible even in daylight. To the people of that time, this could only mean a bad omen. But what was really the star in the sky?
23 days visible in sunlight, and about two years during the night, this stellar explosion considered the most famous in the history of astronomy. And no wonder. Since ancient times, the study of astronomy has been key to the development of many civilizations and religions. But at this point, in which a star appears and disappears with the passage of days, the least we can say is that scholars were perplexed. They had just contemplate a supernova.
Although supernovae are produced continuously, it is very difficult to give close enough to be seen with naked eye, but even in the light of day. Are too far away. But I would not want to be too close to a supernova, because its radius of destruction is not exactly small (about 500 light years would still be a safe distance from the radiation emanating from it. The destruction caused by the shock wave affects about 10 light years). Luckily for us, in principle there is nothing at that distance that makes us worry.
do know that Betelgeuse, the red supergiant, about 50,000 years light, is likely to erupt at some point between now and within 100,000 years (relatively short time in the history of the Earth, but a world for us), with a luminosity similar to that of the waxing moon. And yet, there is no assurance that there is no consequences for us. But really, we need not know it, if any, there is no solution. Would know that the star has exploded shortly before it reaches its hitherto blast, traveling at nearly the speed of light. As they say, goes just as fast information destruction.
We now know that there was a supernova that shocked the humanity (there are records in China, Japan, specifying the date on which suddenly appeared in the sky even) but much less has been the one. Today tens of supernovae are recorded throughout the year, helping scientists to understand better and better mechanisms. Which leads inevitably to the next question.
what is, or what we know of, a supernova?
Petroglyph Anasazi (now New Mexico). It is believed that the Supernova of 1054 shows
Although supernovae are produced continuously, it is very difficult to give close enough to be seen with naked eye, but even in the light of day. Are too far away. But I would not want to be too close to a supernova, because its radius of destruction is not exactly small (about 500 light years would still be a safe distance from the radiation emanating from it. The destruction caused by the shock wave affects about 10 light years). Luckily for us, in principle there is nothing at that distance that makes us worry.
Comet Halley in the Bayeux Tapestry. The scene had to be similar to that of the Supernova of 1054
do know that Betelgeuse, the red supergiant, about 50,000 years light, is likely to erupt at some point between now and within 100,000 years (relatively short time in the history of the Earth, but a world for us), with a luminosity similar to that of the waxing moon. And yet, there is no assurance that there is no consequences for us. But really, we need not know it, if any, there is no solution. Would know that the star has exploded shortly before it reaches its hitherto blast, traveling at nearly the speed of light. As they say, goes just as fast information destruction.
size comparison of the Stars. The Sun is about one pixel in diameter at this level
what is, or what we know of, a supernova?
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