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Stars are vital sources of energy for planetary systems, including our own. However, they can also exhibit unexpected behavior that poses a threat. This is showcased in the disaster film “Solar Attack,” which depicts the destructive potential of a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the Sun. A similar phenomenon may explain the peculiar actions of the star Betelgeuse in recent years.

Betelgeuse, a red giant star in the constellation of Orion, is slowly approaching the end of its life. It is remarkably large, with its outer edge extending beyond Jupiter’s orbit if placed within our solar system. When Betelgeuse eventually explodes in a supernova, it will emit such a dazzling light that it will be visible during the day from Earth. Predicting the timing of this explosion is difficult, as it could occur tomorrow or thousands of years into the future.

In 2019, astronomers noticed Betelgeuse experiencing significant dimming, leading them to believe it was a precursor to its imminent explosion. However, the star returned to normal over the following months, baffling scientists. Subsequent analysis revealed that the apparent dimming was caused by our perspective through a cloud of stellar debris rather than an actual decrease in brightness.

Further study indicated that while the amount of light received from Betelgeuse decreased, the light emitted from its photosphere actually intensified. This was consistent with a massive eruption of material from the star’s surface, resembling coronal mass ejections on the Sun. While such events do not pose a threat to Earth, they can disrupt satellites and electrical equipment.

This unprecedented event has left scientists perplexed. Andrea Dupree of the Center for Astrophysics at Harvard & Smithsonian described it as a “totally new phenomenon” that allows for direct observation and surface analysis using the Hubble telescope. The explosion on Betelgeuse, with its enormous scale, has been categorized as a Surface Mass Ejection (SME) and provides valuable insights into how stars shed mass and evolve during their final stages.

Although the explosion was not a sign of Betelgeuse’s impending supernova, it is offering invaluable knowledge about stellar evolution. While waiting for Betelgeuse to reach its explosive fate, the film “Solar Attack” can be enjoyed on Peacock.

Sources:
– “Stars Are the Warm Beating Hearts of Planetary Systems” – NASA
– “Solar Attack: When Stars Throw Temper Tantrums” – Astrophysics News
– “Betelgeuse: A Puzzling Star” – Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

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