The star Alpha Orionis, also known as BetelgeuseIt is among the 12 brightest planets seen from Earth, but it will disappear for a few hours on December 11. It will not be seen because an asteroid will pass between it and our planet.
The phenomenon will begin at 10:17 pm (Brasilia time), but it will not be visible from Brazil – rather, it will only be visible in a narrow strip of the planet that includes Central Asia, southeastern Europe, and Florida (in the United States). And Mexico.
For astronomers, this will be a rare opportunity to study the star and asteroid, named 319 Leona. By collecting accurate data on the duration of occultation (the time during which the asteroid covers the star), it will be possible to determine its size and shape.
As Leona 319 moves, it will pass through so-called convection cells, which are responsible for the increase and decrease in the brightness of the star, and astronomers will try to determine the distribution of these cells.
The star Betelgeuse is a very large, luminous and cool star, classified as a red supergiant of spectral type M1-2 Ia-ab. Red supergiants are massive stars in the final stages of their evolution. They use up their fuel quickly and live for only a few million years.
Betelgeuse has already used up all the hydrogen in its core. Betelgeuse is likely currently fusing helium to generate carbon and oxygen in the core, with a hydrogen fusion shell surrounding the core. Within some time it will collapse, giving rise to a supernova.
