Every time I go outside at night these days, I'm looking at Orion.
See, Betelgeuse is still dimming. Scientists have an idea for when we might know for sure, though.
If the giant star continues to dim after February 21, then the chances of it being the prequel to a light show become much higher.
If it starts to brighten, then it's just Betelgeuse doing its thing...possibly the combination of the normal variability cycle with sunspots or even a strategically placed dust cloud.
If it does seem that Betelgeuse will go nova, we may even have enough idea of when that people will be able to go outside to watch.
(And don't worry. Betelgeuse is much further away than the approx 50 light year range of damaging gamma ray bursts. It's not going to affect us. Well, possibly some upset wildlife not used to a light in the sky that may well be brighter than the moon).
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