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===Future Supernova===

===Future Supernova===

Astronomers believe that much like many of the other stars in the [[Orion]] constellation, Betelgeuse is only a few million years old, and formed from molecular clouds observed in [[Orion_nebula|Orion]].  Due to its extremely high mass though, the star has evolved quickly and has already consumed the [[hydrogen]] in its core for thermonuclear fusion.  The star is fusing core [[helium]] into [[carbon]] and [[oxygen]], which has swelled the outer layers of gas in the star, causing its great size.  Eventually the star will fuse heavier elements all the way to [[iron]] before collapsing into a [[supernova]].<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=Aq24O7B4ehoC&dq=the+hundred+greatest+stars&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=PNMnS5-BHI3anAeqsLm1DQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Betelgeuse&f=false</ref>  Such an explosion would be so bright, it would outshine the full [[moon]].<ref name="Bettle">http://stars.astro.illinois.edu/sow/betelgeuse.html</ref>.

Due to its extremely high mass though, the star is fusing core [[helium]] into [[carbon]] and [[oxygen]], which has swelled the outer layers of gas in the star, causing its great size.  Eventually the star will fuse heavier elements all the way to [[iron]] before collapsing into a [[supernova]].<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=Aq24O7B4ehoC&dq=the+hundred+greatest+stars&printsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=PNMnS5-BHI3anAeqsLm1DQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Betelgeuse&f=false</ref>  Such an explosion would be so bright, it would outshine the full [[moon]].<ref name="Bettle">http://stars.astro.illinois.edu/sow/betelgeuse.html</ref>.

The [[UC Berkeley|UC Berkeley's]] Infrared Spatial Interferometer (ISI) atop [[Mt. Wilson Observatory]] in Southern [[California]] collected evidence over 15 consecutive years, showing the star is constantly contracting<ref>http://esciencenews.com/articles/2009/06/09/red.giant.star.betelgeuse.mysteriously.shrinking</ref>.  The star is estimated to have shrunk 15 percent in size since 1993 and the rate of contraction is increasing, the total observed contraction is equal to half an astronomical unit, or equivalent of the distance of Venus from the sun<ref>http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/06/09_betelim.shtml</ref>.  It is speculated this is the behavior expected for a star that has reached the end of its life and the beginning of gravitational collapse.  Because of the mass of Betelgeuse, the result of the supernova explosion will be either a [[neutron star]] or even a [[black hole]].

The [[UC Berkeley|UC Berkeley's]] Infrared Spatial Interferometer (ISI) atop [[Mt. Wilson Observatory]] in Southern [[California]] collected evidence over 15 consecutive years, showing the star is constantly contracting<ref>http://esciencenews.com/articles/2009/06/09/red.giant.star.betelgeuse.mysteriously.shrinking</ref>.  The star is estimated to have shrunk 15 percent in size since 1993 and the rate of contraction is increasing, the total observed contraction is equal to half an astronomical unit, or equivalent of the distance of Venus from the sun<ref>http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2009/06/09_betelim.shtml</ref>.  It is speculated this is the behavior expected for a star that has reached the end of its life and the beginning of gravitational collapse.  Because of the mass of Betelgeuse, the result of the supernova explosion will be either a [[neutron star]] or even a [[black hole]].