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A supernova explosion was observed on earth in 1987 but the explosion actually took place about 16900 years ago how is this possible?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
The speed of light is about 300,000 kilometers per second (186,000 miles per second).
So by the time you even got past typing the first letter of this question, you, the Earth and everything else you know would be obliterated. It would have taken approximately one-sixth of a second for the light from the supernova to reach Earth.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoLight has a finite speed of 300,000 km per second, so when we look at things very far away we see them as they were some time ago.
Light from the Sun takes 8 minutes to reach the Earth, so we see the Sun as it was 8 minutes ago.
The supernova from 1987 took place 16900 years ago because it happened 16900 light-years from us.
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What are two possible results of a supernova explosion?
A neutron star or a black hole.
Could Betelgeuse already blown up?
It's possible, yes. Betelgeuse is a red giant star that is going through the last stages of life, as viewed from earth. The light from the star takes several hundred years to reach us though, so it's possible that the star has already come to the end of it's life in that time. When it comes to the end of it's life it will explode in a supernova explosion. We should be able to see this from earth, the explosion would be so bright that we could see it during the day.
How can you identify a supernova remnant?
Well, it may not always be possible to do this in every case, but there are certain things to look for. Often a supernova will leave some relic behind, such as a pulsar or black hole, so you can look and see if there is one of these phenomena present. Also (as in the case of the Crab Nebula) we know that there was a supernova some time in the past and we can see the result with our eyes. In this case we have a pulsar at the centre as well! After a long time, if there are any gases present from the explosion, these may dissipate owing to the object's galactic motion or gravitational effects from passing stars (really the same thing!) so the Crab Nebula may not look quite so crablike in a few million years' time.
What is the smallest thing in the galixy?
The smallest observed thing in the galaxy are Quarks. However, there are postulated other particles that seem likely to exist but are yet to be observed. given the resent success of the large hadron collider in the coming years it is entirely possible more will be discovered.
Does a star change during its life cylcle?
Yes. The possible cycle is: protostar/brown dwarf main sequence star red giant supernova/super giant white dwarf/black hole black dwarf
Is it possible for a planet to survive a supernova explosion from its own star?
No, not a supernova.
What are two possible results of a supernova explosion?
A neutron star or a black hole.
How many times bigger is a supernova than a nuclear explosion?
The lowest energy release in a supernova is about 1.5E44 Joules, the highest energy release in a nuclear explosion (i.e. the Soviet Tsar Bomba of 1961) was about 2.17E17 joules (although significantly larger yields are possible, nobody has seen any reason to build one).This is 27 orders of magnitude between the smallest supernova and the largest nuclear explosion that was ever done!!!
How many times is a supernova bigger than a nuclear explosion?
The lowest energy release in a supernova is about 1.5E44 Joules, the highest energy release in a nuclear explosion (i.e. the Soviet Tsar Bomba of 1961) was about 2.17E17 joules (although significantly larger yields are possible, nobody has seen any reason to build one).This is 27 orders of magnitude between the smallest supernova and the largest nuclear explosion that was ever done!!!
Is it possible to create an explosion like a supernova and use it like nuclear power?
No because the explosion is catastrophic and you'd need somewhere to store all of that energy. For power generation you need something that is continuous. far better to trap the gravitational energy of a black hole, or a neutron star.
Can you see a star explode in your lifetime?
Yes. Supernova explosions are visible to the naked eye on average of once per century. In the 1054 AD, a "new star" or "nova stellarum" was observed to be visible in the daytime. These days, we call it the "Crab Nebula". It is entirely possible that a supernova could explode and be visible in your lifetime, although that would probably mean that it has ALREADY exploded and the light is on its way even now. However, it would be (so far!) impossible to predict such an event ahead of time. A supernova explosion releases unbelievably titanic energies. We wouldn't want one to explode within several hundred light years of us!
Is it possible for the Sun to go supernova?
no. it is not large enough.
What is the largest supernova?
SN 2006gy was the brightest and largest supernova ever discovered, scientists announced. The star was in the NGC 1260 galaxy, in the same direction as the constellation Perseus and may be a type of supernova previously predicted by theory but not observed. The conclusion was reached after extended observations of the supernova by both optical telescopes and X-ray telescopy. Currently, there are two possible explanations for the supernova's brightness, but both require the star in question to have been at least a hundred times as massive as the sun. Although the supernova is brighter than SN 1987A, which was bright enough to be seen by the naked eye, SN 2006gy is too far away to be seen by the naked eye.
What might be some possible consequences of a supernova explosion near our solar system but still reach earth?
The atmosphere being stripped away is the most likely one; along with this would be prettyy much the end of life on the planet. If the supernova were close enough, the blast may also damage the plaent itself, such as by tearing parts off or disrupting its orbit.
Is it possible to unlock the song Pluto Relinquish on DDR Supernova for the PS2?
No
When a star that is more than 40 times bigger than the sun dies what is it called?
It depends. With current theoretical knowledge, a star of this mass has two possible outcomes. 1) It erupts in a cataclysmic explosion as a supernova and then forms into a black hole or 2) If the mass is high enough, currently believed to be around 50 solar masses, it will form directly into a black hole without the supernova.
How is photosynthesis observed?
No, it happens inside a plant..............Actually theoretically it is possible to see photosynthesis, although the apparatus to make that happen has yet to be created.
