A Fiery Demise

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Betelgeuse: The Next Supernova?

A Fiery Demise

Astronomers have long predicted that the bright red supergiant star Betelgeuse is on the verge of exploding in a supernova. If and when it does, it will be the closest supernova explosion to Earth in over 400 years.

Analyzing Data

Astronomers have been studying Betelgeuse for decades, using data from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and several other observatories. They have observed that the star is losing mass at an accelerated rate and that its surface is becoming increasingly unstable. These are all signs that Betelgeuse is nearing the end of its life.

A Rare Night Sky Event

In addition to Betelgeuse, other astronomical events have captured the attention of skywatchers recently. One such event was an annular eclipse caused by asteroid 319 Leona. This rare celestial phenomenon created a short "ring of fire" effect as the asteroid passed between the Earth and the Sun.

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