A type 2 supernova emits most of its energy in the form of neutrinos; these interact with the extremely dense inner layers that didn’t quite manage to accrete onto the neutron star, depositing energy that creates a shockwave that blows off the rest of the material. I’ve seen it claimed that the neutrino flux would be lethal out to a few AU, though I suspect you wouldn’t get the chance to actually die of radiation poisoning.
A planet the size and distance of Earth would intercept enough photons and plasma to exceed its gravitational binding energy, though I’m skeptical about whether it would actually vaporize; my guess for what its worth is that most of the energy would be radiated away again. Wouldn’t make any difference to anyone on the planet at the time of course.
I’ve seen it claimed that the neutrino flux would be lethal out to a few AU, though I suspect you wouldn’t get the chance to actually die of radiation poisoning.
A type 2 supernova emits most of its energy in the form of neutrinos; these interact with the extremely dense inner layers that didn’t quite manage to accrete onto the neutron star, depositing energy that creates a shockwave that blows off the rest of the material. I’ve seen it claimed that the neutrino flux would be lethal out to a few AU, though I suspect you wouldn’t get the chance to actually die of radiation poisoning.
A planet the size and distance of Earth would intercept enough photons and plasma to exceed its gravitational binding energy, though I’m skeptical about whether it would actually vaporize; my guess for what its worth is that most of the energy would be radiated away again. Wouldn’t make any difference to anyone on the planet at the time of course.
Well-chosen chapter title, and good wrapup!
Randall Munroe just posted on the topic: http://what-if.xkcd.com/73/ “Lethal Neutrinos”.