SEWilco's Journal: Is Betelgeuse about to explode?

Universe Today points out in "The Curious Case of the Shrinking Star" that Betelgeuse has shrunk by about 15%. This is a short-lived red giant star with a short lifetime, so shrinkage might mean the star is shrinking as it starts using more complex elements as fusion fuel, but when it runs out of usable fuel it is expected to collapse into a nova or supernova. As it is 600 light years away, we should be safe from even a supernova. Unless you're standing in the way of an excited astronomer.