Possible effects on Earth thumb|upright=1.1|right|alt=Shells of progressive element burning, hydrogen, helium, carbon-oxygen-nitrogen, silicon, magnesium-neon and iron, followed by collapse with gamma ray burst jets developing from the poles|One theory of η Carinae's ultimate fate is collapsing to form a black hole—energy released as jets along the axis of rotation forms gamma-ray bursts. A typical core collapse supernova at the distance of η Carinae would peak at an apparent magnitude around −4, similar to Venus. A SLSN could be five magnitudes brighter, potentially the brightest supernova in recorded history (currently SN 1006). At 7,500 light-years from the star it is unlikely to directly affect terrestrial lifeforms, as they will be protected from gamma rays by the atmosphere and from some other cosmic rays by the magnetosphere. The main damage would be restricted to the upper atmosphere, the ozone layer, spacecraft, including satellites and any astronauts in space.
Possible effects on Earth thumb|upright=11|right|alt=Shells of progressive element burning hydrogen helium carbon-oxygen-nitrogen silicon magnesium-neon and iron followed by collapse with gamma ray burst jets developing from the poles|One theory of η Carinae's ultimate fate is collapsing to form a black hole—energy released as jets along the axis of rotation forms gamma-ray bursts A typical core collapse supernova at the distance of η Carinae would peak at an apparent magnitude around −4 similar to Venus A SLSN could be five magnitudes brighter potentially the brightest supernova in recorded history (currently SN 1006) At 7500 light-years from the star it is unlikely to directly affect terrestrial lifeforms as they will be protected from gamma rays by the atmosphere and from some other cosmic rays by the magnetosphere The main damage would be restricted to the upper atmosphere the ozone layer spacecraft including satellites and any astronauts in space