Supernova
We are not about to be wiped out by a nearby supernova.

White Dwarf
Image Unavailable
The white dwarf in the AE Aquarii system is the first star of its type known to give off pulsar-like pulsations that are powered by its rotation and particle acceleration. Click image for enlargement. Credit: Casey Reed

The idea of a supernova occurring in 2012 is not new. In 2009 a made-for-cable movie titled 2012: Supernova aired with a typical lackluster plot and B-list actors. The plot of the Roland Emmerich mega-disaster flick 2012 involved solar activity (in that case, the plot hinged on an increased flux of solar neutrinos heating the earth's core).

However, a recent press release at the American Astronomical Society meeting lead to misleading headlines that appeared in various newspapers.

The AAS Press Release

A press release titled "THE LONG OVERDUE RECURRENT NOVA T PYXIDIS: SOON TO BE A TYPE Ia SUPENOVA?" issued at the American Astronomical Society meeting in January 2010 talks about whether or not a particular recurrent nova is primed to become a supernova.

Unfortunately the press release includes some very misleading language, which has led to some confusion and irresponsible headlines. The last paragraph reads:

An interesting, if a bit scary, speculative sidelight is that if a Type Ia supernova explosion occurs within [that distance] of Earth, then the gamma radiation emitted by the supernova would fry the Earth, dumping as much gamma radiation (~100,000 erg/square centimeter) into our planet [sic], which is equivalent to the gamma ray input of 1000 solar flares simultaneously.

The Science

The talk was by astronomer Edward Sion. His paper discussed the former recurrent nova1 T Pyxidis, and whether it is due to become a Type Ia supernova2.

Press Coverage

This story has been picked up by the Telegraph[4] and the Sun, with lurid titles like "The Death Star" (Sun)[5]

Why it's wrong

As pointed out by Ian O'Neill[2][3], Phil Plait[1] and others, the astronomer (Edward Sion) got his numbers wrong (or at least the press release got the numbers wrong) and the star in question is not close enough to cause the damage implied. A supernova would have to be within 25 light years[1] in order to cause that kind of damage, and this one is over 3000 light years away. In fact Sion was called on this at the presentation by Prof. Alex Fillipenko from the U.C. Berkeley Astronomy Department.

Apparently the press release used the radiation figures from a Gamma Ray Burst, which is a much more energetic event than a Type Ia supernova. These occur during the core-collapse of very massive stars, and are not associated with the kind of star that T Pyxidis is.

Additionally, Mike Simonsen, a self-described "variable star junkie" further discusses why T Pyxidis has stopped flaring, and says:

Soon on human, everyday-guy-on-the-street terms, means this week or this year. When astronomers use the word 'soon' or the phrase 'in a short time' they can and do usually mean tens of thousands or millions of years.[6]

Mike cites a paper by Bradley E. Schaefer[7] and points out that there are things we do not know about recurring novae: We do not know the death rate of these stars in our galaxy, or whether the white dwarfs gaining or losing mass with each flare, or (more to the point of the press release) whether or not they can actually become Type Ia supernovae.

Betelgeuse

In January 2011, a story first published on news.com.au linked a potential supernova of Betelgeuse with 2012. We have a separate article addressing this specific claim.

Conclusion

We have shown that the prevailing scientific opinion is that supernova pose no threat to us within several million years.


BlinkListblogmarksdel.icio.usdiggFarkfeedmelinksFurlLinkaGoGoNewsVineNetvouzRedditYahooMyWebFacebook

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License