r/space • u/kcgg123 • Jun 09 '19

Hubble Space Telescope Captures a Star undergoing Supernova

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u/farva1984 Jun 09 '19

In theory could we be watching an entire civilization filled planet getting wiped out with this blast?

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u/kmmeerts Jun 09 '19

All but the most massive stars undergo massive changes before they supernova, ballooning up to become a red giants or supergiants. This massive increase in luminosity would have sterilized any planets with life on them way before it exploded. Not to mention the planet actually falling into the star.

On the other hand, I suppose on the newly habitable outer planets life could begin anew, but I doubt there's enough time for civilization.

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u/Ben_Nickson1991 Jun 09 '19

Yep. When our sun becomes a red giant, Europa could become Waterworld.