Explore Space Mysteries | Episode 83

[@4WDNightTracker]

So can scientists predict when the supernova state will take place, or should I say would have taken place if it was estimated to be less than 640 years away at that time?

[@Oscardiscoveries]

Scientists can estimate when a supernova might occur based on a star's life cycle, but pinpointing the exact time is difficult due to the complexity of stellar processes .

[@j-robertdrouin4871]

For several months now, astronomers have been announcing the explosion of Betelgeuse. And that hasn't happened yet. I believe that the steps leading to the final explosion of a star are longer than scientists estimate. I am 74 years old and in good health. Let's say I die at 84. It could be that at the time of my passing, the final explosion of Betelgeuse has not yet occurred. 10 years in the life of a star is very little.

[@dtchmn77]

If the star ended, it did so 640 years ago and we are simply waiting to see the effects, since it takes 640 years to reach us. Since science is at best a guess, a 1 percent difference would mean that it could be off by 64 years, in which case you will not experience it nor will most people alive today.