Betelgeuse

Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star in the constellation Orion. It is famous for being one of the largest known stars, with a maximum size of 764 Solar Radii. It is the second brightest star in Orion, however its brightness fluctuates over time. In 2019, Betelgeuse experienced a Great Dimming event similar to other stars. Betelgeuse is arguably the largest star visible to the naked eye, rivaled by only the Garnet Star and Antares. Betelgeuse has been known to be smaller Than the Garnet Star, but a new estimate for Garnet Star shows that it may be smaller, at only 762 Solar Radii. Betelgeuse may have a possibe companion star known as Siwarha or Betelbuddy, but to this day it remains hypothetical.

Astronomical Data

Radius (in Solar Radii): 764 R_☉

Diameter (in Kilometers): 1,063,488,000 km

Mass (in Solar Masses): 14 M_☉

Distance (in Light Years): 548 ly

Spectral type: M1–M2 Ia–ab (Red)

In fiction

Betelgeuse’s name inspired the movie Beetlejuice, as well as the titular character appearing in the film.

In the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Ford Prefect is said to be from a planet orbiting Betelgeuse, nicknamed ‘Betel.’