Thursday, January 24, 2008

Reason for moving to the Moon

Could WR 104 Threaten Earth?

Recent studies of supernovae have explored whether there is a link between these exploding stars and gamma-ray bursts (the most energetic events known in the Universe). In the case of WR 104, it is possible that when the Wolf-Rayet star explodes, much of the energy and matter will be ejected at the polar ends – and Earth is virtually pole-on to the system.

Our understanding of the connection between supernovae and gamma-ray bursts is still in its infancy, but Tuthill and his colleagues suggest that there is a possibility that WR 104 might produce a gamma-ray burst – one that would be only 7,000 light-years from us (as good as on our doorstep).

The good news is that we probably have several hundred thousand years before the Wolf-Rayet star in question does explode.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

WR104 probably has too high a metallicity to produce a gamma-ray burst. However, the relationship between the heavy element content of a star and gamma-ray bursts is not well understood, so I would not bet my house on it. Another thing that Earth has going for it is that WR104 is not exactly pole on to the Earth. Gamma-ray bursts are beamed into very small angles, so if WR 104 does go boom the jet may miss us.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, this star has a companion helping to pull material away. It also appears to be producing polar dust jets.

The gamma ray jet may span 20°. At Earth's distance, that would resemble a beam thousands of light years across. The viewing angle is thought to be 11° ± 7°. Whatever happens, the effects will be clearly visible from Earth.

Anonymous said...

this is stupid nothing in going to happen!!!