Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Betelgeuse
Why in the News?
Recent research has revealed a surprising finding about Betelgeuse (which was believed to explode): the star’s unusual brightening and dimming patterns may be influenced by an unseen companion star.
About Betelgeuse
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Indicators and Scientific Evidence
- Betelgeuse’s cyclic dimming and brightening patterns indicate it is nearing the end of its life.
- Its massive size and expansion as a red supergiant suggest it is in a late stellar stage.
- Cooling surface temperature and mass loss through stellar winds signal increasing instability.
- Spectral analysis shows heavy elements in Betelgeuse’s layers, typical of late-stage fusion.
- An unseen companion star, or “Betelbuddy,” may be influencing its brightness and internal structure.
Potential Effects of Betelgeuse’s Supernova on Earth and Our Solar System
- Betelgeuse’s supernova will likely be visible in daylight for weeks and brighter than the Moon at night.
- At 650 light-years away, dangerous radiation would dissipate before reaching Earth, posing no harm.
- Space missions and satellites may experience minor interference from increased cosmic rays.
- The explosion will enrich the interstellar medium with heavy elements, contributing to new star formation.
- The supernova will provide valuable scientific insights into stellar life cycles and cosmic element formation.
PYQ:[2017] The terms ‘Event Horizon’, ‘Singularity’, ‘String Theory’ and ‘Standard Model’ are sometimes seen in the news in the context of: (a) Observation and understanding of the Universe (b) Study of the solar and the lunar eclipses (c) Placing satellites in the orbit of the Earth (d) Origin and evolution of living organisms on the Earth |
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