New Vistas in Astronomy Lecture Series: The Great Dimming of Betelgeuse -Harvard University Date: Thursday, August 26, 2021, 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Description
In December 2019, the bright red supergiant in the shoulder of the Orion constellation became dimmer. By February 2020, Betelgeuse was historically dim – the faintest the star had ever been in more than a century! Not only did dimming distort the appearance of Orion, but it raised fears that the star was preparing to explode as a supernova. Astronomers using telescopes on the ground and in space followed the star’s behavior and are beginning to understand what caused this extraordinary event. Astronomer Andrea Dupree will delve into the most recent observations and reveal the events that led to the historic ‘Great Dimming’ of Betelgeuse in 2020.
This event will be live streamed on the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory Facebook and YouTube page.
