Betelgeuse's Great Dimming Event: A Closer Look at the Boiling Surface and Rotational Speed of a Red Supergiant Star

ALMA captured an image of Betelgeuse showing its boiling surface, which may be why it looks like it's rotating in observations
Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star located in the constellation Orion
It is currently experiencing another Great Dimming Event and has dipped nearly half a magnitude since late January
New research from the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics suggests that data supporting Betelgeuse's rotational speed could be tracking its convection movement rather than its true rotational speed
Recent studies suggest that Betelgeuse is spinning much faster than a star its size should be able to
Betelgeuse's Great Dimming Event: A Closer Look at the Boiling Surface and Rotational Speed of a Red Supergiant Star

Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star located in the constellation Orion, is currently experiencing another Great Dimming Event. This event has caused Betelgeuse to dip nearly half a magnitude since late January and it is now the faintest it has been in two years. The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) captured an image of the red supergiant star, which shows that one of its unique features is its boiling surface. This boiling surface may be why Betelgeuse looks like it is rotating in observations and recent studies suggest that it is spinning much faster than a star its size should be able to. However, new research from the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics suggests that data supporting Betelgeuse's rotational speed could be tracking its convection movement rather than its true rotational speed.


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Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It is not clear if the boiling surface of Betelgeuse is directly related to its dimming or if it's just a coincidence.
  • The Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics research may be subject to interpretation and further study.

Sources

72%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Betelgeuse's Wild Surface Seems to Be Baffling Our Telescopes

ScienceAlert Michelle Starr Sunday, 17 March 2024 20:00
  • Unique Points
    • Betelgeuse is a dying star.
    • Radio measurements of its changing light suggested it was rotating at 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) per second, which is much faster than expected for stars of Betelgeuse's vintage.
    • Astrophysicist Jing-Ze Ma and his team found that the boiling surface of Betelgeuse could be generating an illusion of fast rotation due to convection cells that are much more violent on Betelgeuse compared to other stars.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing the work of a team led by Jing-Ze Ma of the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Germany. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing Betelgeuse as a 'deranged whirligig' and stating that it could mean the red supergiant gained spin by devouring a smaller companion star.
    • The big problem with that is that stars of Betelgeuse's vintage should, theoretically, have a maximum rotation speed at least two orders of magnitude lower. So, astronomers wonder, what the heck gives?
    • In 90 percent of the simulations, observations made using ALMA would look like rotation at a rate of several kilometers per second.
  • Bias (85%)
    The author Michelle Starr is presenting a news article about the dying star Betelgeuse. The article discusses how scientists have observed that the star's rotation speed appears to be much faster than expected for its age and size. However, new research by Jing-Ze Ma of the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Germany suggests that this may not actually be the case, as Betelgeuse's boiling surface could generate an illusion of fast rotation due to convection cells. The article presents examples from 3D simulations and data from ALMA to support this claim.
    • Radio measurements of its changing light suggested it was rotating at 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) per second.
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication

    74%

    The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
    (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

    A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

    Is Betelgeuse Fading Again?

    Sky & Telescope Magazine Wednesday, 13 March 2024 14:39
    • Unique Points
      • Betelgeuse has dipped nearly half a magnitude since late January.
      • The red supergiant star is currently the faintest it's been in the past two years.
      • Could it be at the threshold of another major dimming?
      • To compare Betelgeuse to Aldebaran and Procyon, go out the next clear night and estimate its magnitude by comparing it with these stars.
    • Accuracy
      No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
    • Deception (50%)
      The article is deceptive in that it implies that Betelgeuse has lost a third of its brightness when in fact it has only lost about half. The author also states that the star's waning so far has been modest but does not provide any evidence to support this claim.
      • The article claims that Betelgeuse is currently the faintest it has been in two years, when in fact it has only lost about half of its brightness. This statement is deceptive because it implies a greater loss than what was actually observed.
    • Fallacies (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Bias (80%)
      The article discusses the dimming of Betelgeuse and its potential for another Great Dimming Event. The author uses language that implies a sense of urgency and excitement about this event, which could be seen as an example of sensationalism.
      • > At least a third magnitude's worth
        • Betelgeuse faded about 1.2 magnitudes (60 percent) in 2019<3>
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        73%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        The boiling surface of giant star Betelgeuse may be creating an illusion

        Space.com Robert Lea Tuesday, 12 March 2024 10:00
        • Unique Points
          • Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star located in the constellation Orion.
          • Recent observations of Betelgeuse suggest it is spinning much faster than a star its size should be able to.
          • The Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics has developed simulations that explain why Betelgeuse appears to be rotating so fast by suggesting it's actually an illusion created by the star's violently boiling surface.
          • Betelgeuse is expected to have relatively sedate rotation speeds due to its size but recent observations show it's rotating at around 11,200 miles per hour (5 kilometers per second) which is eight times as fast as a Jet Fighter.
        • Accuracy
          • Astrophysicist Jing-Ze Ma and his team found that the boiling surface of Betelgeuse could be generating an illusion of fast rotation due to convection cells that are much more violent on Betelgeuse compared to other stars.
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (85%)
          The article discusses the mystery surrounding Betelgeuse's rotation speed and suggests that it may be an illusion created by its boiling surface. The author uses language such as 'violently boiling surface', 'drastic boiling motions on the surface', and 'blurred in actual ALMA observations' to create a sense of extreme movement, which could lead observers to believe Betelgeuse is rotating faster than it actually is.
          • The article states that a cluster of boiling bubbles rising on one side and falling on another would create a dipolar radial velocity map, which could lead observers to believe Betelgeuse is rotating at tens of thousands of miles per hour
            • The author mentions that the bubbles on Betelgeuse's surface are so large they can be compared to Earth's entire orbit around the sun
              • The author uses language such as 'violently boiling surface'
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                The article by Robert Lea discusses the boiling surface of giant star Betelgeuse and how it may be creating an illusion. The author is a Ph.D. student Jing-Ze Ma from the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics who conducted research on this topic using data collected by ALMA, which was funded in part by NASA's Orion Spacecraft.
                • Robert Lea is affiliated with the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics and has a Ph.D. student as an author of the article.
                  • The article mentions that Robert Lea is a Ph.D. student Jing-Ze Ma from the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics who conducted research on this topic using data collected by ALMA, which was funded in part by NASA's Orion Spacecraft.
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication

                  63%

                  The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                  (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                  A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                  A Giant Star Looks Like It's Defying Astrophysics

                  Popular Mechanics Darren Orf Tuesday, 12 March 2024 13:30
                  • Unique Points
                    • Betelgeuse is the 10th brightest star in the sky and one of the biggest known stars in our galaxy.
                    • It spins at roughly 5km (3.1 miles) per second, which is two orders of magnitude faster than scientists thought possible at this evolutionary stage.
                    • A new study from scientists at Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics argues that data supporting Betelgeuse's rotational speed could be tracking its convection movement rather than its true rotational speed.
                  • Accuracy
                    • <strong>Contradiction:</strong> The Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics argues that data supporting Betelgeuse's rotational speed could be tracking its convection movement rather than its true rotational speed.
                  • Deception (50%)
                    The article is deceptive in that it presents the rotational speed of Betelgeuse as a fact when there are still uncertainties about its true value. The authors also present ALMA's data as evidence for Betelgeuse's fast rotation without providing any context or explanation for how this data was obtained.
                    • The article states that 'Betelgeuse is spinning incredibly fast, with a rotational speed of about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) a second.' However, the authors do not provide any evidence to support this claim.
                    • The article presents ALMA's data as proof of Betelgeuse's fast rotation without providing any context or explanation for how this data was obtained.
                  • Fallacies (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Bias (85%)
                    The author has a clear bias towards the idea that Betelgeuse is spinning incredibly fast and that data gathered by ALMA may be recording its convection cells rather than its true rotational speed. The author uses phrases such as 'two orders of magnitude faster', 'scientists thought possible at this particular evolutionary stage' and 'this stellar mix-up'. These statements suggest a strong belief in the idea that Betelgeuse is spinning incredibly fast, which may not be supported by all evidence.
                    • Betelgeuse is spinning incredibly fast
                      • this stellar mix-up
                        • two orders of magnitude faster than scientists thought possible at this particular evolutionary stage
                        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                          None Found At Time Of Publication
                        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                          The author has multiple conflicts of interest on the topics provided. The article mentions that Betelgeuse is a star located in Chile's Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), which is operated by the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics. This suggests that there may be financial ties between the author and this organization, as well as personal relationships with researchers at ALMA or other institutions involved in studying Betelgeuse.
                          • The article mentions Selma de Mink, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy who has studied Betelgeuse. This suggests that there may be professional affiliations between the author and this organization.
                            • The article mentions that Betelgeuse is a star located in Chile's Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), which is operated by the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics. This suggests that there may be financial ties between the author and this organization, as well as personal relationships with researchers at ALMA or other institutions involved in studying Betelgeuse.

                            74%

                            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                            Red supergiant star Betelgeuse's boiling surface 'mimics' rotation in animation

                            Entertainment Variety Tv Site: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv-site/ Unknown Space Monday, 18 March 2024 06:27
                            • Unique Points
                              • Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star located in the constellation Orion.
                              • Recent observations of Betelgeuse suggest it is spinning much faster than a star its size should be able to.
                            • Accuracy
                              • Betelgeuse is a dying star.
                              • Radio measurements of its changing light suggested it was rotating at 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) per second, which is much faster than expected for stars of Betelgeuse's vintage.
                              • Astrophysicist Jing-Ze Ma and his team found that the boiling surface of Betelgeuse could be generating an illusion of fast rotation due to convection cells that are much more violent on Betelgeuse compared to other stars.
                            • Deception (50%)
                              The article is deceptive because it implies that Betelgeuse is rotating by using the term 'mimics' in the title and describing its surface as boiling. This creates a false impression of rotation for readers who are not familiar with the star's nature. The article also does not provide any context or explanation for why Betelgeuse has such a complex and dynamic surface, nor does it acknowledge that this is due to convection rather than actual rotation. Additionally, the article cites a source without disclosing its credibility or relevance.
                              • The article describes Betelgeuse's surface as boiling, which creates a false impression of movement and rotation. However, this is not due to actual rotation but rather convection caused by the high temperatures and pressures in the star's outer layers.
                              • The title of the article says 'Betelgeuse's boiling surface mimics rotation', which suggests that the star is rotating like other stars. However, Betelgeuse is not a typical star and does not have an axis of rotation. The term 'mimics' implies deception or falseness, which is misleading for readers who are unfamiliar with the star's properties.
                            • Fallacies (100%)
                              None Found At Time Of Publication
                            • Bias (85%)
                              The author is using the phrase 'mimics rotation' to describe Betelgeuse's boiling surface. This language implies that the star is rotating when in fact it may not be.
                              • Betelgeuse's boiling surface may be why the red supergiant star looks like it is rotating in observations.
                              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                                None Found At Time Of Publication
                              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                                None Found At Time Of Publication