Astronomy

[krummholz]

On Dec. 12th, Betelgeuse will be back in the news as the asteroid Leona will briefly eclipse Orion's most famous star.

Those interested can view the event online here:

https://www.virtualtelescope.eu/webtv/

I hope I can remember, this sort of event is quite rare. The odds against such a prominent star being eclipsed again anytime soon are... well, you know. 

Indeed, quite a rare event. No chance to see it here as it's been cloudy for over a week - at least until today.

[relm1]

Indeed, quite a rare event. No chance to see it here as it's been cloudy for over a week - at least until today.

I don't think it was visible from the US.  It had a very narrow occultation path.
 

[LKB]

A small portion of Florida had a view.

I watched a recording of the event, Betelgeuse noticeably dimmed for several seconds, but was never fully eclipsed. So not quite as dramatic as the hype, but still interesting enough that l wish l could have had a view through the eyepiece.

[JBS]

A small portion of Florida had a view.

I watched a recording of the event, Betelgeuse noticeably dimmed for several seconds, but was never fully eclipsed. So not quite as dramatic as the hype, but still interesting enough that l wish l could have had a view through the eyepiece.

And not even that. For last couple of days there's been a stationary front over the southern part of the state, much wind, some rain, almost completely overcast (and forecast to stay this way until a cold front comes through sometime Sunday/Monday).
Almost no chance of seeing the sky.

[krummholz]

A small portion of Florida had a view.

I watched a recording of the event, Betelgeuse noticeably dimmed for several seconds, but was never fully eclipsed. So not quite as dramatic as the hype, but still interesting enough that l wish l could have had a view through the eyepiece.

Not surprising, given that Betelgeuse and Leona have about the same angular size (45 millarcseconds), and Leona is elongated, so it's very possible that it didn't completely cover the disc of the star anyway.

[relm1]

I saw the total eclipse on Monday and captured this image!  It was my first time to experience totality and was absolutely stunning.  Pictures don't do it justice.  It was a very moving experience and hard to verbalize but the closest I can say is in a sudden, the sky goes from sort of dark to night revealing the universe, stars visible, corona jetting way out from the sun, brilliant deep red solar flares visible with your eyes...it's as if the curtain was suddenly pulled away and you see this great cosmic drama that surrounds us which we are a very tiny part of and experience this with all your senses.  It's over in just a few minutes but during that time you feel very insignificant. 

[LKB]

I saw the total eclipse on Monday and captured this image!  It was my first time to experience totality and was absolutely stunning.  Pictures don't do it justice.  It was a very moving experience and hard to verbalize but the closest I can say is in a sudden, the sky goes from sort of dark to night revealing the universe, stars visible, corona jetting way out from the sun, brilliant deep red solar flares visible with your eyes...it's as if the curtain was suddenly pulled away and you see this great cosmic drama that surrounds us which we are a very tiny part of and experience this with all your senses.  It's over in just a few minutes but during that time you feel very insignificant. 

An elegant description of a wondrous spectacle. And thanks for the pic, even if it doesn't quite convey the totality of the experience. 

[LKB]

Maybe old news, but here's a link to NDT's YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@StarTalkPlus/videos

[Iota]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68787534

An interesting little moment.