What Milky Way stars could go supernova to < +3 at any time?

In summary, certain stars in the Milky Way have the potential to go supernova and reach a magnitude of +3 at any given time. These stars are typically large, massive stars that have reached the end of their life cycle and have exhausted their fuel, resulting in a catastrophic explosion. Although these events are rare and unpredictable, they can have significant impacts on the surrounding environment and can even be visible to the naked eye. Scientists continue to study and monitor these potential supernova candidates in the Milky Way.
  • #1
swampwiz
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(I use +3 as the cutoff as that seems to be the limit of easily visible stars.) Yes, I know that Betelgeuse could go up in a < -10 blaze of glory, but I wonder what other ones are out there.

On a side note, how fast could the big observatories move to it to observe it? And how quickly would it be noticed at all?
 
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  • #2
physicshelp21 said:
There are many stars that are visible to the naked eye and have an apparent magnitude of +3 or brighter. Some examples include Sirius, Canopus, Alpha Centauri A and B, Vega, Capella, Arcturus, and Rigel. There are also many other stars that are visible to the naked eye but have an apparent magnitude fainter than +3.

Regarding your second question, the speed at which observatories could move to observe Betelgeuse depends on a number of factors, including the distance to the star, the location of the observatories, and the availability of suitable telescopes and other equipment. Betelgeuse is located approximately 642.5 light-years from Earth, which means that it would take a very long time for a spacecraft or other astronomical observatory to travel there.
I hope it helped.
I meant what stars could go as bright as +3 at the peak of their supernova, not current stars.

This weird answer sounds like it was generated by a bot.
 
  • #3
swampwiz said:
This weird answer sounds like it was generated by a bot.
Some people think that's funny.

You're not going to get a list.

First, your magnitude is not constraining. SN1987a wasn't even in our galaxy and it was brighter than 3.

Next, there are thousands upon thousands of stars who are likely progenitors. If we get on average one SN every 30 years and could tell within 30,000 years when one was nearing the end (and we can't) that would be a thousand stars. Of these many thousands of stars, most don't have names, just catalog numbers, and some are obscured by dust and gas.

You want some possibilities: Sher 25 and Eta Carinae are likely to go "soon".
 
  • #4
swampwiz said:
(I use +3 as the cutoff as that seems to be the limit of easily visible stars.) Yes, I know that Betelgeuse could go up in a < -10 blaze of glory, but I wonder what other ones are out there.

On a side note, how fast could the big observatories move to it to observe it? And how quickly would it be noticed at all?

https://snews2.org/

The Super Nova Early Warning System is designed to give electromagnetic telescopes a warning ahead of the supernova's light.

The principle was first demonstrated when neutrinos from supernova SN1987a preceded that explosion's light by two to three hours.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SN_1987A

Thanks,

Cerenkov.
 
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FAQ: What Milky Way stars could go supernova to < +3 at any time?

What are the most likely candidates for a supernova in the Milky Way?

Some of the most likely candidates for a supernova in the Milky Way include Betelgeuse, Antares, and Spica. These stars are massive and nearing the end of their life cycles, making them prime candidates for a supernova event.

How close is Betelgeuse to going supernova?

Betelgeuse is considered to be in the late stages of its stellar evolution and could go supernova at any time within the next million years. However, predicting the exact timing is challenging due to the complex processes involved in stellar evolution.

How bright would a nearby supernova appear from Earth?

A nearby supernova could become extremely bright, potentially outshining the full moon and being visible even during the day. For instance, if Betelgeuse were to go supernova, it could reach an apparent magnitude of around -12, making it one of the brightest objects in the night sky.

What impact would a supernova have on Earth?

A supernova occurring within 50 light-years of Earth could have significant effects, including potential harm to the ozone layer and increased radiation. However, the stars currently considered likely to go supernova, such as Betelgeuse, are much farther away, posing no direct threat to life on Earth.

Can we predict when a star will go supernova?

While astronomers can identify stars that are likely to go supernova based on their mass and stage of life, predicting the exact timing is extremely difficult. The processes leading up to a supernova are complex and not fully understood, making precise predictions currently impossible.

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