CNet:
By looking at Betelgeuse at UV wavelengths, researchers were able to get a better look at the star's surface and atmosphere. They discovered a mass of bright, hot material moving outward from the southern hemisphere of the star at around 200,000 miles per hour and eventually being ejected into space.
[...] Dupree and her team believe this material may have begun to cool down as it moved through space, forming a dense dust cloud that partially obscured Betelgeuse. It just so happens that Earth was in the perfect position to "see" the dust cloud front on, as if Betelgeuse shot the dust cloud directly at us. If it happened on the opposite side of Betelgeuse, we'd likely never even know.
Explosive outbursts are expected from star's[sic] at the end of their life and when they die or "go supernova," they release a shockwave that spews elements into space. The activity is critical to fill space with heavy elements like carbon, which then can become new stars elsewhere in the universe, so these stars are critical to the cosmic Circle of Life.
Betelgeuse is dying, and ejecting bright material that then cools.
Recently:
(2020-03-09) Dimming Betelgeuse Likely Isn't Cold, Just Dusty, New Study Shows
(2020-02-18) New Image Shows Betelgeuse Isn't Dimming Evenly
(2019-12-30) Waiting for Betelgeuse: What's Up With the Tempestuous Star?
(Score: 1, Offtopic) by Runaway1956 on Saturday August 15 2020, @04:25AM (1 child)
We shouldn't be investing in real estate in this neighborhood, I take it.
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 15 2020, @06:04AM
Kamala Harris is a native born American. We are not so sure about Runaway, who seems to have been born in Russia, or at least paid by them. And, interesting fact: Trump and Kamala's father were both born in Jamaica. Strewth! Look it up! Trump is not a legitimate president. Trump was born in Jamaica, to a not-citizen mother, so he cannot legitimately be President. And, just look at the IG report on his DHS lone Wolf appointment! [npr.org] Bastards! Criminals! Republicans!
Ferk you, Runaway, up your Coalca Maxima! And down your vagus minora! And out your piddlise minisculus! Cops are in your favor. Cop lover Runaway? Authoritarian boot-licking fascist sympathizer? Where are your sheep, Runaway?