One-of-a-kind eclipse:  Brightest star to be obstructed by asteroid 

One-of-a-kind eclipse: Brightest star to be occluded by an asteroid

[{"selector":"#anim-0ad1349a-dbb0-4a23-a1e6-644c0e70bcf2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-65c8b486-9d8f-432e-ac38-15a2efc37d00","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 175.20573%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bbad522c-984e-4a49-b049-4c99c6a6ad8b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-54.50580543159297%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] A spectacular astronomical event is approaching as Betelgeuse will be momentarily obscured by the asteroid Leona.

[{"selector":"#anim-d93f0364-5c18-4e14-bada-121e0eefb165 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(42.434065826943076%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] One of the brightest stars in the night sky is Betelicheuse.

[{"selector":"#anim-965647d7-9140-4bf2-95e4-d50ce2315fab [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-65.76576766785676%, 0, 0) translate(9.349593495934961%, 9.262485973029746%) scale(0.8130081300813008)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The timing of this exceptional eclipse is set for late Monday into early Tuesday.

[{"selector":"#anim-e77934a7-f44f-4eda-89f7-82d374743dc4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(39.26904631770506%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The star in question, Betaleuze, is a red supergiant that is found in the constellation Orion.

[{"selector":"#anim-60adadcf-573c-4c90-a69a-468d4068e329 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-23.17901808008057%, 0, 0) translate(15.98639455782313%, 15.919582530485638%) scale(0.6802721088435374)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The asteroid, Leona , is an oblong space rock that rotates slowly and is located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

[{"selector":"#anim-366280bd-68dd-4bc6-8a05-63e7f3488745 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.979980354886838%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] The eclipse, which should last no longer than 15 seconds, provides astronomers with a chance to learn more about Betelgeuse and Leona.

[{"selector":"#anim-b614ea18-b1e1-4dda-a7c4-55924bfd9e95 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.655133832574382%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Nevertheless, uncertainties persist regarding the accuracy of these predictions, as well as the dimensions of Betelgeuse and its expansive atmosphere.

[{"selector":"#anim-b3107594-da2e-4711-9afb-dac3c1d11976 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(43.74999965867719%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The possibility of a total eclipse, where the asteroid entirely obscures the star, is uncertain.

[{"selector":"#anim-0f01d828-073b-4dc4-92e2-64410543821c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-41.700613698276726%, 0, 0) translate(15.625%, 2.3251489910584944%) scale(0.6875)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] Alternatively, the outcome might be a "ring of fire" eclipse with a minute blazing border encircling the star.

[{"selector":"#anim-79407890-aa22-4a34-9ebb-cf08b49bfc15 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-36.37695304233588%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] If a total eclipse occurs, astronomers are unsure of the duration, possibly lasting up to 10 seconds.