Lesson #222

Astronomers wonder if a dimming star may be about to explode

Betelgeuse, the star that represents the hunter's shoulder in the constellation Orion, is dimmer than it has been in almost 100 years. Stars of that type tend to become dimmer just before they explode in a supernova. If that happens, the explosion would be visible from earth and Orion would lose his shoulder. But it's not clear whether the star's current level of brightness signals a supernova is coming. Plus, learn the English expression "ebb and flow."