The fate of Betelgeuse

<p>Betelgeuse is classified as a red supergiant of spectral type M1-2 &nbsp;and is one of the largest stars visible to the naked eye. A supernova is the explosive death of a star in an event so violent that for a brief period that single star shines as brightly as a whole galaxy of more than a hundred billion ordinary stars like the Sun. &nbsp;This is a relatively rare event. &nbsp;When this happens, Betelgeuse will brighten enormously for a few weeks or months, perhaps becoming as bright as the full moon, and be visible in broad daylight.</p>