Dr Andy Smith (@evilokapi.bsky.social)

Betelgeuse is fading again, and the most famous red star in the sky is starting to feel like a countdown. It’s been dimming since August. Again. That word matters, because this star already pulled the same trick back in late 2019, when it dropped so hard that people genuinely started watching for an explosion. Here’s the part that gets me. When Betelgeuse finally goes supernova, nobody will need a telescope or a live feed to catch it. The blast will be visible from right here on Earth, with your own eyes. Step outside and find Orion. That red glow in the top left corner? It’s living on borrowed time.