How did I miss this story?
Betelgeuse appears to be shrinking quite considerably: 15% in 15 years, all without losing it's intensity. While the behaviour of red giants such as Betelgeuse is not fully understood one possible theory is that it's about to supernova.
I say about to: seeing as it's 640 light years away that means it may already have done so, some 639 years ago.
Needless to say the possibility is starting to alarm some folks; there are those who believe that the Mayan Calendar (due to end in about 2 and a half years) is inextricably linked to astronomy. Although what possible link this has to Betelgeuse going pop is anyone's guess. Damn those apocalypse nuts.
I could go on and mention the potential destruction of a small planet in the vicinity of Betelgeuse and its implications, but there would be little sense to that.
Whatever happens (or has already happened) to Betelgeuse hopefully we'll have a grand view: Herschelle is up and running and hopefully in a prime position to observe some serious boom. No, the other Herschel.
Nurse, please fetch me some sutures, I seem to have split my sides again.
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