Connecting Episodic Outbursts to Convection Cells in Evolved Massive Stars Through IF Imaging

Watch a 16-minute astronomy lecture exploring the relationship between episodic outbursts and convection cells in evolved massive stars through interferometric imaging. Learn about groundbreaking observations conducted at the CHARA Array that investigate mass loss mechanisms in massive stars, focusing on case studies of RW Cephei and Rho Cassiopeiae. Discover how the Great Dimming event in RW Cephei during 2022 provided evidence of dust blocking phenomena, and examine the distinctive pulsation patterns that differentiate it from Betelgeuse. Explore findings from Rho Cassiopeiae observations that reveal giant convection cells on its stellar surface, potentially driving episodic outflows. Gain insights into how these observations contribute to understanding the complex mechanisms behind stellar mass loss in evolved massive stars.