Space Weather

[Aelin]

What I saw today on yahoo (I found for you an english article)

Earth has picked a tiny second Moon

The Minor Planet Center has announced that Earth now has two moons. But don’t bother running outside to check – this second satellite is tiny and temporary.

The newcomer, designated 2020 CD3, measures between 1.9 and 3.5 m (6.2 and 11.5 ft) wide, which obviously pales in size compared to our main Moon’s massive 3,474 km (2,159 mi) diameter. That’s because it’s little more than an asteroid that just wandered too close, and got tangled up in Earth’s gravitational pull.

Follow the link above to read more.

[thelufias]

I saw that on the new and thought it was so cool.  But I guess it won't hang around to long.   Cute little thing though LOL

[sidherose]

SUPERNOVA WATCH, CANCELLED:

Call off the supernova watch. Betelgeuse is brightening again. Researchers from Villanova University, who have been leading the study of Betelegeuse's unprecedented decline, have confirmed in a new Astronomical Telegram that the star has reversed itself. The turnaround was actually predicted, and suggests the recent dimming was an unusually deep excursion of the star's natural 430-day periodicity.

Here are the latest data from the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO):

According to the light curve, Betelgeuse hit bottom during the week of Feb. 7th - 13th with a V magnitude slightly greater than +1.6. "Based on these and additional observations, Betelgeuse has definitely stopped dimming and has started to slowly brighten," says Ed Guinan of Villanova University. "Thus, this 'fainting' episode is over."

The monitoring should continue, however. Sensational images captured last month by the ESO's Very Large Telescope in Chile revealed that one half of Betelgeuse was dimming more than the other. No one knows why. Additional imaging during Betelgeuse's recovery might unravel the mystery.

"Here are the latest data from the American Association of VARIABLE STAR Observers"

Isn't the answer to Betelgeuse's behavior right there? It's a Variable Star? Variable stars do that sorta thing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_star

[thelufias]

Good thing we just cut and paste this stuff or we'd all be accused of giving out so so facts.   

[sidherose]

Good thing we just cut and paste this stuff or we'd all be accused of giving out so so facts.   

I just have a special place in my heart for 'Mr. O' (Orion) and I'd be kind of bummed if Betelgeuse disappeared - so I went and looked up stuff about Betelgeuse and that was the most logical thing to explain all it's dimming and brightening to me. Which made me very relieved -

[Agent0013]

I just have a special place in my heart for 'Mr. O' (Orion) and I'd be kind of bummed if Betelgeuse disappeared - so I went and looked up stuff about Betelgeuse and that was the most logical thing to explain all it's dimming and brightening to me. Which made me very relieved -

Indeed, Orion would look odd without Betelgeuse. The supernova will happen sometime in the future, but for now, most don't expect it anytime soon.


Another reason for the dimming of unprecedented magnitude loss is quite likely to be a vast dust cloud that came between the star and we on Earth that observe it. Indeed some of the spectral analyses have indicated that. Where did the dust cloud originate? Large coronal mass ejections from Betelgeuse itself could easily account for that. Betelgeuse is known for such events.

[sidherose]

Indeed, Orion would look odd without Betelgeuse. The supernova will happen sometime in the future, but for now, most don't expect it anytime soon.


Another reason for the dimming of unprecedented magnitude loss is quite likely to be a vast dust cloud that came between the star and we on Earth that observe it. Indeed some of the spectral analyses have indicated that. Where did the dust cloud originate? Large coronal mass ejections from Betelgeuse itself could easily account for that. Betelgeuse is known for such events.

Yes, he would look odd. He's already lost his eyes, according to myth - and he's in so many!

I'd read about the possibility of it being a dust cloud from they didn't know what or where. Hard to say, but it certainly brought great attention to this particular variable dimming sequence, didn't it? 

[thelufias]

I just have a special place in my heart for 'Mr. O' (Orion) and I'd be kind of bummed if Betelgeuse disappeared - so I went and looked up stuff about Betelgeuse and that was the most logical thing to explain all it's dimming and brightening to me. Which made me very relieved -

Yup....I know.....but I always get a kick out of what scientist and observers A, B and C say while looking at the same object.

[Jherrith]

Tis the only way to learn ... listen to all and make your own decision

[thelufias]

Yip.....and I won't publish my findings so all are safe