Daily Current Affairs : 9-December-2023

Betelgeuse, a captivating red supergiant, graces the celestial canvas in the Orion constellation. Despite residing a whopping 700 light-years away, this celestial giant is not just a mere twinkle in the night sky; it is one of the brightest stars observable with the naked eye.

  • Size and Brightness: Betelgeuse’s grandeur is truly exceptional, being thousands of times brighter than our humble sun and dwarfing it in size by approximately 700 times. Its colossal dimensions are so vast that, if it were to replace our sun, its reach would extend beyond the orbit of Jupiter.
  • Youthful But Short-Lived: Surprisingly, Betelgeuse, at a mere 10 million years old, is a cosmic toddler compared to our sun’s 4.6 billion years. However, its youth comes with a caveat. The star is expected to be short-lived due to its massive size and the rapid rate at which it consumes its cosmic resources.
  • Mysterious Dimming Event: In 2019, Betelgeuse captured the attention of astronomers when it experienced a significant dimming event. A substantial expulsion of surface material formed a dust cloud, temporarily blocking the starlight. Remarkably, within six months, Betelgeuse had returned to its previous luminosity, leaving scientists intrigued by the dynamics at play within this stellar behemoth.
  • Supernova Anticipation: The grand finale for Betelgeuse is anticipated in the next 100,000 years when it is expected to undergo a supernova explosion, illuminating the cosmos in a spectacular celestial display.
Eclipsing Betelgeuse: The Arrival of Asteroid Leona

About Asteroid Leona

While Betelgeuse continues its cosmic journey, it is set to encounter a unique celestial event—a temporary eclipse caused by the passage of an asteroid named Leona.

  • Leona’s Location: Positioned in the primary asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, Leona is a slowly rotating, oblong space rock that has chosen this moment to cast its fleeting shadow on Betelgeuse.
  • Ephemeral Eclipse: This astronomical rendezvous offers a transient spectacle, as Leona, a small but intriguing asteroid, briefly intercepts the radiant light emanating from Betelgeuse. The celestial ballet unfolds in the vastness of space, adding a temporal layer of complexity to the ongoing narrative of these cosmic entities.
Important Points:

Betelgeuse: A Stellar Giant in the Night Sky

  • Betelgeuse: Red supergiant in Orion constellation
  • Location: 700 light-years away
  • Visibility: Observable with the naked eye
  • Brightness: Thousands of times brighter than the sun, 700 times larger
  • Size: Extends beyond Jupiter if it replaced our sun
  • Age: 10 million years old (considerably younger than our sun)
  • Lifespan: Short-lived due to massive size and rapid resource consumption
  • Dimming Event (2019): Significant dimming followed by return to previous brightness
  • Supernova Anticipation: Expected within the next 100,000 years

Eclipsing Betelgeuse: The Arrival of Asteroid Leona

  • Asteroid Leona: Slowly rotating, oblong space rock
  • Location: Primary asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter
  • Eclipse Event: Temporary eclipse of Betelgeuse by Asteroid Leona
  • Celestial Ballet: Leona intercepts Betelgeuse’s radiant light
  • Spectacle: Transient and unique celestial event in the vastness of space
Why In News

Betelgeuse, one of the brightest stars in the sky, will be eclipsed by an asteroid named Leona, creating a celestial spectacle that astronomers and stargazers eagerly anticipate.

MCQs about Betelgeuse and Asteroid Leona

  1. Betelgeuse is located approximately how many light-years away from Earth?
    A. 700 million light-years
    B. 7 light-years
    C. 700 light-years
    D. 70 light-years
    Correct Answer: C. 700 light-years
    Explanation: Betelgeuse is located approximately 700 light-years away from Earth.
  2. How does Betelgeuse compare to our sun in terms of size and brightness?
    A. Betelgeuse is smaller and dimmer
    B. Betelgeuse is larger and dimmer
    C. Betelgeuse is smaller and brighter
    D. Betelgeuse is larger and brighter
    Correct Answer: D. Betelgeuse is larger and brighter
    Explanation: Betelgeuse is thousands of times brighter and approximately 700 times larger than our sun.
  3. What significant event did Betelgeuse experience in 2019?
    A. Solar eclipse
    B. Supernova explosion
    C. Dimming event
    D. Planetary alignment
    Correct Answer: C. Dimming event
    Explanation: Betelgeuse experienced a significant dimming event in 2019, caused by the expulsion of surface material.
  4. Where is Asteroid Leona situated in our solar system?
    A. Between Earth and Mars
    B. Beyond Pluto in the Kuiper Belt
    C. In the primary asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter
    D. Orbiting Saturn in the outer solar system
    Correct Answer: C. In the primary asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter
    Explanation: Asteroid Leona is situated in the primary asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

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