Why do some stars become 'supernova impostors'? Astronomers still don't quite know

Violent, non-fatal eruptions can make a star mimic a true supernova — leading to what we affectionately call "supernova impostors.

" Astronomers call this "eruptive mass loss," and it's a stellar drama we're still trying to fully grasp.

Staring up at the night sky, you might envision a star flaring up, burning thousands of times brighter than usual.