There is apprehension about whether an asteroid will fully eclipse a giant star, leading to a unique blackout, or create a ‘ring of fire’ effect, where a thin, bright ring of the star would remain visible to many observers in some parts of the world.
The late hours of next Monday will mark the beginning of a striking astronomical event, extending into the early hours of Tuesday and captivating skywatchers and astronomers alike.
This event features the passage of Leona, an asteroid, across the luminous star Betelgeuse, creating a temporary eclipse and presenting a rare opportunity for astronomical observation.
Betelgeuse, a red supergiant, is the uppermost star in the constellation of Orion.