When NASA put the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) into space, scientists understood that it would profoundly change our knowledge of the universe. However, they did not anticipate what it would teach us about one of the most legendary and enigmatic stars in our evening sky—Betelgeuse.
A Star on the Brink?
Betelgeuse, the red supergiant of the constellation Orion, has been of particular interest to astronomers. Approximately 700 light-years from Earth and more than 700 times larger than our Sun, it is so large that its ultimate demise is predicted to take the form of a supernova. For decades, however, scientists had thought that disaster was tens of thousands of years off. That notion may now be disintegrating.
JWST's advanced infrared sensors last month detected surprising indications from Betelgeuse that the star is acting in ways no one expected. Drawing on observations taken over the course of several months, the telescope identified unusual and dramatic brightness and temperature fluctuations—well beyond anything ever seen before.
These are not your normal star "hiccups." Some scientists think they could be the first indication that Betelgeuse is beginning its final death throes.
The 2019 Dimming Was Just the Beginning
In the late 2019 and early 2020 time frames, Betelgeuse inexplicably faded, losing approximately 60% of its light. During that time, many thought that it was possibly going supernova. The incident was however later explained to be due to a huge surface outburst that ejected a dust cloud covering the star temporarily.
What the James Webb Telescope has since uncovered is more alarming: that Dimming Event might have been only the first of a series of warning signals.
JWST observations suggest the outer layers of Betelgeuse are unstable. There are enormous convection currents, anomalous plasma bursts, and signs the star's magnetic field is bouncing wildly. That degree of activity is extremely rare and suggests internal processes running amok.
Could Betelgeuse Become Supernova in the Near Future?
Betelgeuse becoming supernova is both exhilarating and terrifying. It would offer a one-time scientific experience to witness the phenomenon firsthand (cosmically speaking). It would also mean the extremely powerful release of energy released by a supernova—even one 700 light-years away—sends out red flags.
Although scientists concur that Earth is distant enough from Betelgeuse to be out of physical danger, the radiation burst may cause temporary satellite and communications disruptions. Others even speculate that it might affect Earth's ozone layer if the explosion is more powerful than usual.
A Cosmic Alarm Bell
For the time being, there is no definite schedule. Betelgeuse could burst at any moment tomorrow, or it could manage to last another 100,000 years. But one thing is certain: JWST has triggered an alarm in the cosmos. The universe may be offering us a front-row seat to one of the most explosive happenings in a star's life.
Whether Betelgeuse's demise is imminent or much, much
later, the James Webb Telescope has shown us once again that the universe is
chock full of surprises—most of them scary, humbling, and awe-inspiring.
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