Companion Star Discovered orbiting Betelgeuse, Reveals Clues to Red Giant’s Erratic behavior
Astronomers have identified a previously unknown star in a close orbit around Betelgeuse, one of the brightest and most studied red giants in the night sky. This discovery offers a potential explanation for the dramatic fluctuations in Betelgeuse’s brightness, which have puzzled scientists for decades. The companion star, detected through observations of Betelgeuse’s radial velocity, is believed to be a main-sequence star or a red dwarf.
This pairing is notably significant because the companion’s gravitational pull is expected to cause strong tidal forces on Betelgeuse. These forces are predicted to create internal waves and turbulence within the red giant, contributing to the observed variations in its luminosity.Furthermore, astronomers estimate that within approximately 10,000 years, Betelgeuse will engulf its companion due to these tidal interactions.
The research team anticipates further observations of the Betelgeuse system when it is indeed next favorably positioned for study in November 2027. These future observations will allow for a more detailed investigation of the orbital characteristics and the interaction between the two stars. Understanding this dynamic relationship could provide crucial insights into the late stages of stellar evolution for massive stars like Betelgeuse.
Captivating Fact
Betelgeuse is immense – roughly 700 times larger than our Sun in diameter.If Betelgeuse were placed at the center of our solar system, its surface would extend beyond the asteroid belt, consuming Mars and all the planets closer to the Sun.
Source: This article is a re-publication developed from Space Scoop Universe Awareness Edition of Indonesia. Space Scoop Indonesia edition Dite.