Dying Star Betelgeuse Spews Fiery Nebula 574
astroengine writes "Betelgeuse is dying a nasty death. The star is in the final, violent stages of its life, shedding vast amounts of stellar material into space as it quickly approaches a supernova demise. But now, with the help of the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope, Betelgeuse's extended nebula has come to light. Comprised of silica and alumina dust, ESO astronomers have been able to image the nebula in infrared wavelengths for the first time. This is the most detailed view we've ever had of the imminent death of a titanic red supergiant star."
Old news (Score:5, Funny)
What's wrong with Slashdot editing these days? This happened 640 years ago. And you're only posting now?
What? (Score:5, Funny)
The ESO astronomers are made of silica and alumina dust?
Re:How soon is soon? (Score:1, Funny)
When will then be now?
Re:Old news (Score:2, Funny)
Re:How soon is soon? (Score:4, Funny)
In the Future Semiconditionally Modified Subinverted Plagal Past Subjunctive Intentional tense, yes it would, but in the present tense (on-book haventa forewhen presooning returningwenta retrohome) its a toss up.
Re:I've got mixed feelings (Score:2, Funny)
betelgeuse is in orion's armpit, so it's only going to blow his arm off
luckily for orion the star that's going to blow isn't the one at the tip of his dick:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Orion_constelation_PP3_map_PL.jpg [wikimedia.org]
oh wait... M42 already IS a nebula. he's already blown his interstellar load
http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/nebulae/m42.html [atlasoftheuniverse.com]
cosmic spooge
apparently orion gets too easily sexually excited when he's hunting
wait, i'm sorry, it's not his dick, it's his SWORD
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/ce/Orionurania.jpg [wikimedia.org]
riiiight
that's what the ancients were thinking?
riiight
Re:How soon is soon? (Score:4, Funny)
"Can we expect to observe Betelgeuse going supernove in our lifetimes?"
Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse!
About now.