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She's my brightest starLet's see, OrionsBelt~...would that be one of the most-noted and beautiful of all the stars, Rigel (RY-jel)? BetelgeuseThis from the column of our local astronomer, Fred Schaaf, today in The Press of Atlantic City; the end of linguistic note: Betelgeuse was our featured subject last week and I promised to talk about its danger to us and its name.
First, the danger. This pulsating vast red giant may be the closest star likely to undergo a supernova collapse and explosion. If it ever does, it probably would shine much brighter than a full moon in our skies for months. And it is possible that hard radiation from the Betelgeuse supernova could pose a significant (although probably not critical) danger to earth.
Fortunately, although it is possible we could see Betelgeuse go supernova tonight, it is much more likely to happen in a few million years.
It's possible that by the time Betelgeuse blows it will have moved much farther away from us. So we can relax and enjoy Betelgeuse, not fear it.
But how to pronounce its name is still in question. Most astronomers today say "BET-el-joos," not "beetle juice." But 700 years ago the star's name may have been said "BET-ul-jow-ZAY." And 1,000 years ago? Maybe something like "YUD-ul-jow-zah"![the italics and bold print are mine] How accurate are the pronunciation assertions? Since there are no citations, perhaps he should stick to the astronomy and leave the linguistics to a master...like tsuwm! Any OED etymolgy on Betelguese?...please. 
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Any OED etymolgy on Betelguese?This'n's good. From AHD, not OED but AHD is the better choice for etymolgies anyway: http://www.bartleby.com/61/47/B0214700.html
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Thanks, Faldage. I couldn't get the link to open yesterday. That's a good comprehensive history of the star's name. 
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Thanks, tsuwm.
Empathically, thanks!
OrB
Telepaths...reading minds; empaths...reading emotions. What about those who read bodies? Kinepaths? Anatopaths? Or those who read difficult poetry? Sylviaplaths?
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Dear Orion: Careful with anatopath. Anato- is rootword for "duck" Would that make your coinage meaning somebody with a feeling for ducks?
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Or perhaps a feeling for when to duck, Dr. Bill?
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Dear wwh,
I have a lot of feeling for ducks, so there's at least one anatopath here! Especially good feelings for loons! Just about anything that rhymes with moon! I fly around it all the time--moony, loony, I!
So, maybe kinepaths for those who read bodies, corporeal and celestial alike!
Jumping over the moon now,
OrB~
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Dear WO'n,
Actually, Betelgeuse is the lady on my right shoulder. Rigel's the left. Betel is Alpha and Rigel is Beta. Betel's the boiling, windy lady who whispers in my ear...
Starry-eyed and Betel-breathed,
OrB~
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Sear Orion: Again, be careful with betel. People will think that's where you get your energy, and it will stain your teeth.
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Betelgeuse was our featured subject last week and I promised to talk about its danger to
usAh, so you come to us with a dangerous beauty! Well, that's the most enticing kind, OrionsBelt~, isn't it?
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