A massive stellar eruption in a red supergiant

3D ModelNoAI

Red supergiants are massive stars with masses exceeding 8 times that of our Sun. These colossal celestial bodies exist in the latter stages of their stellar evolution, displaying remarkable characteristics such as immense size and very high luminosity. As red supergiants progress through their lifespan, nuclear fusion reactions within their cores generate heavier elements. This process releases an enormous amount of energy, counteracting the gravitational collapse of the star. However, as the core’s nuclear fuel supply diminishes, the balance between gravity and fusion becomes unstable. Under certain conditions, which are not yet fully understood, red supergiants can experience massive eruptions: immensely powerful and energetic events that transpire within the star’s outer layers, leading to a significant release of stellar material into the surrounding circumstellar medium. Very recently, a colossal stellar eruption was observed in the red supergiant Betelgeuse, a massive star in the Orion constellation.