Tag: Supernova
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Could a nearby supernova extinguish life on Earth?
We’ve explored what would happen if our Sun went supernova [link]. Spoiler: while it would be lethal enough to necessitate evacuation to Pluto or beyond, it’s not the biggest headache for humankind today. But what if another star, not very far from our Solar System, exploded? We’ve seen that a supernova explosion could pose a…
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What would happen if the Sun went supernova?
If the thought of our Sun going supernova ever occurred to me, I always assumed that Earth, from crust to the last inhabitant, would be instantly terminated. We’d see a gigantic fireball on the sky, and before we could say “supernova!”, we’d turn into hot vapour. Not long ago I read a short story that…