Chapter 1: The Dilemma of Distant Stars

A common inquiry I receive is whether the stars we observe in the night sky are still alive. This question often manifests in a specific way: "If light from a far-off galaxy has been traveling to us for billions of years, how can scientists study it when that galaxy might no longer exist?"

Currently, we can’t definitively know the status of those distant celestial objects, as the light we see today originated long ago.

However, we can rely on the established laws of nature, which serve as a robust guide! Observing a galaxy a billion light-years away, combined with our understanding of stellar evolution and gravitational dynamics, allows us to make highly accurate predictions about its current state.

Imagine you visited a café recently, and now you are back at home. You can't be completely certain that the café is still operating; it might have faced a disaster or gone out of business. Yet, based on your life experiences, you’d likely assume the café is still there, and you wouldn’t feel the need to check its status before your next visit.

This analogy applies to stars and galaxies as well. For instance, let’s consider Betelgeuse. This star is expected to go supernova soon, at least in astronomical terms. Located roughly 600 light-years away, many wonder, "What if Betelgeuse has already exploded, but the light from that event hasn’t reached us yet?"

While there is a minuscule chance that this could be true, the evidence suggests otherwise. Betelgeuse does not display characteristics typical of a star on the verge of exploding. Instead, we are likely talking about a timeline of tens to hundreds of thousands of years, which is relatively short on a cosmic scale.

From a practical standpoint, it is largely inconsequential whether stars and galaxies billions of light-years away still exist. The essence of science lies not in cataloging what is present or absent but in uncovering patterns and comprehending the fundamental processes that govern the universe.

In studying the mechanisms of stars and galaxies, the current existence of these objects is not critical. What matters is obtaining reliable data about their past, which enables us to explore their evolutionary trajectories.

Furthermore, the greater the distance of an object, the earlier it represents a chapter in the universe's history, offering us a unique chance to witness the unfolding story of the cosmos.

The first video, Are the Stars in the Night Sky Already Dead?, provides insights into this intriguing question, exploring the implications of distant light and its relevance to our understanding of the universe.

The second video, Why No One Can See the Stars Anymore, discusses the challenges we face in observing celestial bodies today and the factors that contribute to this phenomenon.

If you're interested in more space-related content, feel free to clap! Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and pose your questions; I will address them in future articles.