Is Betelgeuse Already a Supernova?

[mgb_phys]

My favorite star (I my Phd on making pictures of it) is shrinking and may be about to go SN, or since it is 400 odd ly away - may have already gone SN!
Fortunately is likely to be a type II so bright but not sun-burn bright.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17282-betelgeuse-the-incredible-shrinking-star.html

 

[sanman]

Betelgeuse! Betelgeuse! Betel-- BOOM!

 

[Chronos]

Betelgeuse is definitely on the virge of going nova [core collapse]. The shrinking thing is a clue. Shrink and expansion cycles will likely occur for many more years before it gives up the ghost.

 

[Sidnv]

So technically, it could have exploded many years ago. We just can't notice it yet. I find that quite thought provoking.