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Dimming

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astronomy2 years ago•3 min saved

"Giant Star's Bizarre Dimming Explained: Close-Up Images Unveil Mystery"

The hypergiant star RW Cephei, located 16,000 light-years away, has recently brightened after a two-year period of dramatic dimming. Astronomers believe the dimming was caused by a gas cloud expelled by the star, which cooled and blocked its light from view. Close-up images from the CHARA Array show irregular blotchy patches on the star's surface, caused by the orbiting gas cloud. This event, described as a "grand eruption," sheds light on the star's behavior and its massive size, being 1,000 times larger than the sun.

via Space.com|

#astronomy #chara-array #dimming

science-and-astronomy2 years ago•2 min saved

Unraveling the Enigma of Betelgeuse's Dimming and Delayed Explosion

The mysterious dimming of the supergiant star Betelgeuse in 2019 may have been caused by a burst of dust, specifically silicon monoxide, coming from the star's surface, according to high-resolution photographs taken by astronomers from France's Université Côte d’Azur. The images support the theory that the dimming was due to a sudden cooling of the star's surface, resulting in the formation of a cold spot and the ejection of a cloud of dust. This finding also aligns with a 2021 study suggesting that Betelgeuse released a bubble of gas due to a drop in temperature. The study highlights the ongoing mysteries surrounding supergiant stars and the uncertainties surrounding the potential supernova of another star in our galaxy.

via Space.com|

#betelgeuse #dimming #dust