The James Webb Telescope has made a disturbing discovery about Betelgeuse, a red supergiant located in the Orion constellation.
Betelgeuse , the red supergiant star in the
constellation Orion, has captivated astronomers for centuries. With its
distinctive reddish color and colossal size, this star is a true cosmic enigma.
At a distance of more than 640 light years from Earth, Betelgeuse is one of the
closest stars to our solar system that is in the last stages of its life .
A Pulsating and Unpredictable Giant
What makes Betelgeuse so fascinating is its unpredictable behavior. This red supergiant is a pulsating star, meaning it undergoes periodic expansions and contractions. These pulsation cycles cause its brightness to vary in the night sky, making it a variable star.
During these cycles, Betelgeuse's brightness can range from magnitude 0.5 to magnitude 1.6, making it one of the brightest stars in our night sky. These brightness changes can occur over periods ranging from tens to hundreds of days, making their behavior unpredictable and fascinating to observe.
James Webb Telescope Reveals a Disturbing Mystery
Recently, the powerful James Webb Space Telescope has trained its sights on Betelgeuse, and the results have been surprising. Thanks to high-resolution images obtained by the MATIS instrument of the European Southern Observatory, scientists have made an astonishing discovery: a surprising dust in the form of silicon monoxide has created a kind of dark blanket around the star.
The Darkening of Betelgeuse
This dust blanket appears to be responsible for the
sudden dimming of Betelgeuse observed between 2019 and 2021. During this
period, the star experienced a considerable decrease in its brightness, leaving
astronomers perplexed. Now, thanks to images from the James Webb Telescope, it
has been revealed that this dimming was caused by the formation of a dust cloud
around the star.
The images also indicate that this dust, the same type that can nourish newborn star systems, may have formed in the vicinity of Betelgeuse. This discovery has shed light on the mysteries surrounding this captivating red supergiant.
Starspots: The Key to the Enigma
In addition to the discovery of the dust blanket, a study by scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences has revealed another key element in Betelgeuse's behavior. This study identified the presence of star spots similar to the sunspots we see on our own Sun.
These starspots are considered the most likely cause of the disturbances in Betelgeuse's magnetic field, which resulted in a temporary blockage of radiation and the subsequent drop in temperature that was observed. The implications of this study are significant for our understanding of Betelgeuse and other red supergiants.
Unraveling the Mysteries of a Dying Star
The recent study provides a clear explanation for the dimming phenomenon that had previously been the subject of speculation. Dust formation is shown to play a critical role in modulating the brightness and appearance of Betelgeuse, and can be triggered by convective cells on its surface.
Additionally, this study highlights the ability of modern telescopes and instruments to capture unprecedented details of stellar phenomena. The high-resolution images obtained are the most detailed ever taken of Betelgeuse's surface, revealing features as tiny as 37 million kilometers in diameter, equivalent to about 25 times the diameter of Earth.
Myths and Truths About Betelgeuse
Beyond the misconceptions and myths surrounding Betelgeuse and its dimming phenomenon, there is a belief that this star is on the verge of exploding as a supernova at any moment. However, it is important to clarify that a supernova is a powerful explosion that occurs when a star runs out of fuel and collapses under its own gravity.
The exact moment of its disappearance is uncertain
and depends on multiple factors that are difficult to measure or predict, such
as the rotation speed, composition and internal structure of the star. The
dimming observed in 2021 was not an indication of its imminent demise, but
rather a normal variability in its cycle.
Another myth related to Betelgeuse and its dimming is that, should it go supernova in the future, it would pose a threat to Earth or life on our planet due to its proximity and brightness. However, a supernova is an extremely energetic and luminous event that could illuminate an entire galaxy for a short period.
Betelgeuse, on the other hand, is neither close
enough nor bright enough to cause harm to Earth or its biosphere . It is
located approximately 650 light years away, which means that its light takes
650 years to reach us. This places it far enough away that it is safe to
observe and enjoy its spectacle.
A Bright Future for the Study of Betelgeuse
The James Webb Telescope's recent discoveries of Betelgeuse have opened new doors for the study of this captivating star. Thanks to high-resolution images and detailed studies, astronomers can gain a deeper understanding of the processes occurring on its surface and in its atmosphere.
As more information is gathered and new observations are made, we will be able to further unravel the mysteries surrounding this red supergiant and its unpredictable behavior. Betelgeuse will continue to be a fascinating object of study and a source of wonder in the night sky.
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