Originally Posted by Ænima:
“Yes, I'm pretty sure it was. It was quite orange. Stars don't usually look that orange I don't think. Saw a very orange star once though, think it was Aldebaran (sp)”
If you learn to recognise Orion you'll be able to find Betelgeuse very easily all of it's stars are bright in the winter skies and Aldebaran isn't far away.
It's been a good winter for planets both Jupiter and Mars have been very bright this year.
I've always wanted to see Mercury I may try and look for it, which is not easy to do due to work shifts.
Originally Posted by Assa2:
“Although Betelgeuse (how do you pronounce it? I prefer the 'film' version) can go at any time, I'm pretty sure IIRC we'll get fair warning. It's already pretty variable but before it goes supernova it should enter an intense period of variability by which time every astronomical instrument on the planet (or off) will be trained onto the star. I think the chances of it going nova in our lifetime are pretty slim, though.”
You pronounce it the same as in the film. It doesn't really matter to be honest it's just a anglised version of it's Arabic name Ibt-al-Jeuzah (a lot of stars have names derived from arabic). It could blow between now and anytime in the next 10000 years or more, I wouldn't hold your breath.