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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.
Leona's transit might either entirely or partially obscure the star. The eclipse's trajectory will cross numerous regions, including Tajikistan, Armenia, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, Miami, the Florida Keys in the USA, and parts of Mexico. This path will enable millions to witness the event, which is expected to last about 15 seconds.
The uncertainty surrounding whether Leona will fully eclipse Betelgeuse, causing a total blackout of the star, or result in a "ring of fire" eclipse where a thin, bright ring of the star remains visible adds to the excitement and significance of the observation.
Astronomers like Gianluca Masa, the founder of the Virtual Telescope Project, are particularly enthusiastic about this event. The Project plans to host a live webcast from Italy, allowing global participation in this rare astronomical occurrence.
Previous observations, such as Leona's eclipse of a dimmer star in September, have enabled scientists to estimate the asteroid's dimensions at approximately 34 miles wide and 50 miles long. However, uncertainties remain about the exact sizes of Leona and Betelgeuse and the star's expansive atmosphere.