Supergiant Betelgeuse had a never-before-seen massive eruption

[brooklynite]

CNN

(CNN)The red supergiant Betelgeuse, a colossal star in the Orion constellation, experienced a massive stellar eruption -- the likes of which have never been seen before, according to astronomers.

Betelgeuse first drew attention in late 2019 when the star, which glitters like a red gem in the upper-right shoulder of Orion, experienced an unexpected darkening. The supergiant continued to grow dim in 2020.

Some scientists speculated that the star would explode as a supernova, and they've been trying to determine what happened to it ever since.

Now, astronomers have analyzed data from the Hubble Space Telescope and other observatories, and they believe the star experienced a titanic surface mass ejection, losing a substantial part of its visible surface.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

1. Yeah, well, what did it do *today*?

[LeftInTX]

9. We can't see this star in the northern hemisphere for a few months!

[Hermit-The-Prog]

11. But what we see is 548 to 643 years ago, depending on which measurement is used.

[LeftInTX]

12. Yes...you're clever...LOL

[Hermit-The-Prog]

13. CNN's trickin' us -- they won't tell us the news about Betelgeuse, today!

[ProfessorGAC]

14. I Could Tell You

But, I'm sworn to secrecy!

[Hermit-The-Prog]

17. You admit being part of the conspiracy!

If we can land a man on the moon, we should have up to the minute live video from Betelgeuse. The gubbmint don't want you to know!

(Every time you hear, "if we can land a man on the moon", brace yourself).

[ProfessorGAC]

19. No Comment!

[Ilsa]

2. Off topic: I have developed a strong dislike for

this phrase: "...the likes of which have never been seen before."

[OneGrassRoot]

7. You noticed that too?

It’s definitely used a lot more since he said it. yuck

[Kid Berwyn]

3. Amazing.

“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” — Hamlet

[Master Jah-Remi]

4. Correct me if I'm wrong.....

Since the star is so far away, doesn't that mean that what we are seeing now actually happened eons ago? I always been fascinated by that idea. It's what I think about when I look up at the stars.

[cloudbase]

6. Yes.

What we are seeing today happened 643 years ago.

[Master Jah-Remi]

10. Fantastic

[brooklynite]

15. That is not eons

[TrogL]

5. She's a gonna blow

My work consists of driving around all night handing out parking tickets. Great opportunity fir astronomy. I even keep a little telescope in the trunk.

I've been keeping an eye on Betelgeuse 'cause if it goes nova it's gonna light up the whole sky.

[brush]

8. Hope they focus the new Webb telescope on it.

That should yield even more revealing info/photos.

[Takket]

18. this is what's happening if anyone wants to read about it :)

https://www.space.com/15236-red-giant-star-mystery.html

[SWBTATTReg]

20. Thanks!