New images show Betelgeuse star getting dimmer

19 Feb 2020

New images show Betelgeuse star getting dimmer

New images show Betelgeuse star getting dimmerHave you heard of Betelgeuse? It is a red supergiant star roughly 700 light-years away from our own solar system.

Recently, Betelgeuse has become much dimmer (less bright) and its shape also seems to be changing.

What is happening to it?

Astronomers have used the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) to capture images that show the changes.
 	Although stars can get more or less bright over periods of time, Betelgeuse is just getting dimmer. Stars get less bright as they reach the end of their lives before they explode.

Does this mean we will get to see a supernova (exploding star)?

We may or we may not! Betelgeuse could explode anytime in the next few weeks or the next 100,000 years.
 	Astronomers cannot say when it will happen because we still don't know much about the star.

Can you imagine what it would be like if the supernova happens? If it does, it will be the first in recorded history for humans to see one.

Scientists continue to observe it as it may come back to normal. Betelgeuse is one of my favourite stars and I will certainly keep you updated on its progress.

You can see a gif of the star dimming below

https://twitter.com/i/status/1228409258972254210

Recommended for Preparatory Grades

Have you heard of Betelgeuse? It is a red supergiant star roughly 700 light-years away from our own solar system. Recently, Betelgeuse has become much […]

To read more...

Comments: 1

naitikmorya says:

20 February 2020 at 9:14 am

It’s amazinggg…

Log in to Reply

Share your comment! Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

To post your comment Login/Signup