When one mass attracts another mass through gravitational force, the masses do not have to be in contact. How does this happen?

The star betelgeuse is about 600 light-years away. if it explodes tonight, a. we'll know because debris from the explosion will rain down on us from space.b. we'll know it immediately because it will be brighter than the full moon in the sky.c. we won't know about it until 600 years from now.d. none of the above.