Astronomers brace for rare eclipse as asteroid to pass in front of bright star

Fleeting spectacle should be visible to millions as Leona asteroid to travel in front of Betelgeuse star early next week

One of the biggest and brightest stars in the night sky will momentarily vanish as an asteroid passes in front of it to produce a one-of-a-kind eclipse.

The rare and fleeting spectacle, late on Monday into early Tuesday, should be visible to millions of people along a narrow path stretching from Tajikistan and Armenia, across Turkey, Greece, Italy and Spain, to Miami and the Florida Keys and finally, to parts of Mexico.