Categories: 2012

Betelgeuse and 2012? Check With the Experts

Betelgeuse, as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope.

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We’ve heard there’s some news running amok that the star Betelgeuse in the constellation Orion could explode in 2012. The simple answer is: probably not, and even if it does, there won’t be “two suns” and we won’t be in any danger. Let me just refer you to the experts: Astronomer Phil Plait explains all on his Bad Astronomy site on Discover; additionally astronomer and 2012 doomsday debunker extraordinaire Ian O’Neill can clarify everything for you at his post on Discovery Space.

Nancy Atkinson

Nancy has been with Universe Today since 2004. She is the author of a new book on the Apollo program, "Eight Years to the Moon," which shares the stories of 60 engineers and scientists who worked behind the scenes to make landing on the Moon possible. Her first book, "Incredible Stories from Space: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Missions Changing Our View of the Cosmos" tells the stories of those who work on NASA's robotic missions to explore the Solar System and beyond.