• Scientists now have established why the red supergiant star Betelgeuse turned dim between 2018 and 2020, dismissing theories that suggested that the star might be entering the last stage of its evolution—Supernova or the ultimate explosion.

A supernova is the cataclysmic explosion of a massive star. It is the largest explosion that takes place in space. It also the primary source of heavy elements in the universe.

• According to a team of scientists from France’s Université Côte d’Azur, the dimming was caused by a burst of dust, in form of silicon monoxide, on the star’s surface.
• The team used MATISSE (Multi Aperture mid-Infrared Spectroscopic Experiment) instrument on the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer in northern Chile to snap high-resolution pictures of the star from 2018 to 2020.

ABOUT BETELGEUSE STAR (ALPHA ORIONIS)

• Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star that forms the left shoulder of the constellation of Orion.
• It is second brightest star in Orion constellation.
• It is one of the brightest star(s) in sky (7,500 to 14,000 times brighter than Sun) and one of the largest stars ever discovered.
  • It measures more than 700 million miles (1.2 billion kilometres) in diameter, 764 times as large as the Sun.
• It is also known as ‘Thiruvathirai’ or ‘Ardra’ in Indian astronomy.
• It is located at an approximate distance of 643 light years from Earth.
• It is known for its periodic dimming and brightening up.