Betelgeuse at the end of 2019: an historical minimum about to end

The semi-regular variable star Betelgeuse is undergoing an historical minimum of its brightness. An 8 year series of visual and V-band CCD observations started at the end of 2011 is presented and discussed. Visual methods for comparing magnitudes of angularly distant stars, and performing a differential photometry, needed for such a bright star, are also presented.