WHAT JUST HAPPENED TO BETELGEUSE? Astronomers have identified a new type of stellar explosion: An SME or “Surface Mass Ejection.” Think of it as a CME on steroids; SMEs outmass CMEs by 400 billion to one. An SME on Betelgeuse may be responsible for the red supergiant’s recent dimming. Full story @ Spaceweather.com.

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Above: An artist’s concept of a Surface Mass Ejection (SME) on Betelgeuse.