Astronomy Picture of the Day

    Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
      fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
                    written by a professional astronomer.

                               2020 January 1

                             Betelgeuse Imagined
                    Illustration Credit: ESO, L. Calcada

   Explanation: Why is Betelgeuse fading? No one knows. Betelgeuse, one of
   the brightest and most recognized stars in the night sky, is only half
   as bright as it used to be only five months ago. Such variability is
   likely just normal behavior for this famously variable supergiant, but
   the recent dimming has rekindled discussion on how long it may be
   before Betelgeuse does go supernova. Known for its red color,
   Betelgeuse is one of the few stars to be resolved by modern telescopes,
   although only barely. The featured artist's illustration imagines how
   Betelgeuse might look up close. Betelgeuse is thought to have a complex
   and tumultuous surface that frequently throws impressive flares. Were
   it to replace the Sun (not recommended), its surface would extend out
   near the orbit of Jupiter, while gas plumes would bubble out past
   Neptune. Since Betelgeuse is about 700 light years away, its eventual
   supernova will not endanger life on Earth even though its brightness
   may rival that of a full Moon. Astronomers -- both amateur and
   professional -- will surely continue to monitor Betelgeuse as this new
   decade unfolds.

   Free Presentation: APOD Editor to show best astronomy images of 2019 --
                    and the decade -- in NYC on January 3
                       Tomorrow's picture: open space
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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                             & Michigan Tech. U.

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