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.
