Abstract:

Betegeuse is a unique star because we can resolve the surface of this nearby supergiant enabling study of  its complex activity including its mass loss.  The mass loss can affect its evolutionary path,  the future supernova light curve, and its ultimate fate as a neutron star or a black hole. The historic Great Dimming  of Betelgeuse  in February 2020 was followed by a wealth of ground and space-based instruments - and its behavior worried many and captured world-wide interest.  It now appears that an unusual substantial  mass ejection  occurred which has left the star
still suffering from the event. Betelgeuse has expanded our view of the mass loss process  and  revealed unexpected phenomena in luminous stars.