Forget the Eclipse

Actually, don't forget the eclipse, but predicted before the next US eclipse is a really, really big deal ~ I can't believe how little attention it is getting. I don't think you have to have a huge interest in astronomy to agree.

Quote: link

two stars will merge into a luminous red nova in about five years. At its brightest, the spectacular explosion produced by this nova could reach an apparent magnitude of about 2.0, akin to a bright star in the night sky, making it visible even from most urban areas... during the year 2022, plus or minus seven months

OK, not a supernova, but this is astounding, historical. Won't need a telescope.

Regarding supernovas, if I am reading the wikipedia article right, the last one visible to the naked eye was seen in 1604, so those alive will be lucky to witness such an event, I hope to be one of them. And let's hope the astronomers are good at predicting this. I was alerted by a recent episode of "How the Universe Works" where it was mentioned the usual astronomical predictions are for things happening way in the future of course. This is unique.

That article and the wikipedia article on red novas , "Luminous red nova", does not mention whether any red novas have been seen by the naked eye before.

2022 edit: below link is now out of date, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KIC_9832227

https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/01/astronomers-predict-a-red-nova-will-brighten-our-skies-in-2022/

Quote: odiousgambit

Regarding supernovas, if I am reading the wikipedia article right, the last one visible to the naked eye was seen in 1604, so those alive will be lucky to witness such an event, I hope to be one of them. And let's hope the astronomers are good at predicting this. I was alerted by a recent episode of "How the Universe Works" where it was mentioned the usual astronomical predictions are for things happening way in the future of course. This is unique.

Hopefully better than last year's eclipse. Outside with a welding helmet it was just so underwhelming. Inside it was as if it was just cloudy. I think I will hold out for when the Milky Way collides with Andromeda. That will be wroth cracking a beer and watching.

For comparison, Polaris, the north star, has an apparent magnitude of 2.

You're not going to convince OG or me of that, AZD. We were among the group who met in NC in the path of totality. It was awesome! We saw the Phantom snakes on the ground, the double shadows in the leaves, the diamond ring, and about 2min of total eclipse with the aurora blazing.

So, reference the supernova, OG. It already happened, right? It's just that the light and energy from the event is still on its way to us.

What if the supernova precipitated an intelligent life exodus, and they're on their way here as well?

Correction : red nova, not supernova.

Quote: AZDuffman

Hopefully better than last year's eclipse. Outside with a welding helmet it was just so underwhelming. Inside it was as if it was just cloudy. I think I will hold out for when the Milky Way collides with Andromeda. That will be wroth cracking a beer and watching.

As BBB attests, there's a huge difference between totality and 99%. The light from the sun is so powerful that even with a sliver of the disc uncovered, the ambient light looks like a cloudy day. Totality is a completely different experience. Make plans to go to Texas, you won't regret it.

Quote: Ayecarumba

As BBB attests, there's a huge difference between totality and 99%. The light from the sun is so powerful that even with a sliver of the disc uncovered, the ambient light looks like a cloudy day. Totality is a completely different experience. Make plans to go to Texas, you won't regret it.

If I go it will rain and ruin it for everyone.

Quote: beachbumbabs

So, reference the supernova, OG. It already happened, right? It's just that the light and energy from the event is still on its way to us.

1800 years ago, according to the article.

Quote: Ayecarumba

As BBB attests, there's a huge difference between totality and 99%. The light from the sun is so powerful that even with a sliver of the disc uncovered, the ambient light looks like a cloudy day. Totality is a completely different experience. Make plans to go to Texas, you won't regret it.

If I live just inside the southern boundary shown below, would it be worth the effort to watch from a spot closer to the center of the path?

Quote: JimRockford

If I live just inside the southern boundary shown below, would it be worth the effort to watch from a spot closer to the center of the path?

Check if you get more time in totality closer to the centerline.

But also keep weather in mind. A shorter totality under clear or mostly clear skies, beats longer totality under clouds. Of course that's impossible to predict exactly. the 91 eclipse took place in the middle of the rainy season in Mex City, when overcast skies are pervasive. Just the same, at the time of totality there were enough breaks in the clouds to see a great deal.

People who see a total eclipse and are not impressed must be dead inside.

Quote: JimRockford

If I live just inside the southern boundary shown below, would it be worth the effort to watch from a spot closer to the center of the path?

The short answer is "yes". The closer you are to the centerline the longer you will be in totality. The shadow is circular, so the longest line through it will be as close to the diameter as possible. The landscape will play into your viewing decision, as you should try to be in as flat an area as possible (which I understand is not a problem in Texas); barring that, get as high up as you can, as I understand it is possible to see the shadow racing toward you if you are in an elevated location. Nareed's suggestions are sound regarding the weather, and apparently we will all need to be as far from AZD as possible to avoid thunderstorms (hehe.. Schleprock)

As for the red nova, this is the first I have heard of this.. maybe it will get more advertising as the event draws nearer.

There was a story and dashcam video in the news just the other night of a meteor that burned bright green then white, and struck the ground with enough force to register as a magnitude 2 earthquake in Michigan?? Is it that there are a lot more things falling on the Earth lately, or is the incidence the same as always, but there are more cameras rolling now which makes for interesting television stories?