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paigecoal
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Is there anyway we can determine if Betelgeuse has gone supernova earlier this month? (theoretically speaking)
No, Betelgeuse did not actually explode. It experienced a sudden and dramatic decrease in brightness, leading to speculation that it may have gone supernova, but it has since returned to its original level of brightness.
The decrease in brightness was likely caused by a large star spot on the surface of Betelgeuse, which is a common occurrence in red supergiants. This star spot can change the apparent brightness of the star as it rotates.
While it is difficult to predict the exact timing of a supernova, it is unlikely that Betelgeuse will go supernova in the near future. It is a relatively young star and still has enough fuel to continue burning for millions of years.
If Betelgeuse were to go supernova, it would release an enormous amount of energy and create a bright explosion visible from Earth. It could also potentially leave behind a neutron star or black hole.
A supernova would not have a direct impact on Earth unless it occurred within a relatively close distance. However, the explosion could potentially have effects on Earth's atmosphere and biosphere, such as an increase in radiation and the potential for auroras to be visible at lower latitudes.