James Webb Telescope Just Detected A Sudden 250% Increase In Betelgeuse's Brightness!

Betelgeuse: The Enigmatic Red Supergiant on the Brink of Explosion
Betelgeuse, a magnificent red supergiant star located in the constellation Orion, has captivated astronomers and star enthusiasts alike with its massive size and dramatic variability. Known for its reddish hue, Betelgeuse is so large that if placed at the center of our solar system, its outer surface would extend beyond the orbit of Mars. This colossal star's fascinating behavior and potential to explode as a supernova make it a subject of intense study and speculation.
Betelgeuse is classified as a semi-regular variable star, meaning its brightness fluctuates over time. These fluctuations are sometimes dramatic, reflecting changes within the star as it approaches its final stages of life. Recently, Betelgeuse has garnered significant attention due to unexpected and puzzling changes in its brightness, particularly during an event known as the "Great Dimming" between 2019 and 2020. This phenomenon saw Betelgeuse's brightness drop significantly, leading to widespread intrigue and various hypotheses about its cause.
Currently, Betelgeuse is shining twice as bright as usual, an unusual state for the star. On May 20, 2023, the Twitter account "Betelgeuse Bots," which tracks the star's behavior, reported an impressive 142% increase in brightness. Astrophysicists, including Andrea Dupree from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, have noted that Betelgeuse is now the seventh brightest star in the night sky, a significant rise from its usual tenth position.