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Betelgeuse

An orange supergiant star 650 light-years away in the constellation Orion. It forms Orion’s shoulder, and is the constellation’s second-brightest star, after Rigel. It is expected to end its life with a titanic explosion known as a supernova.

Resources

Orion, the Hunter

Orion, the Hunter May 25, 2010

Radio Programs

Bad Homes Two stars that are bad homes for life February 1, 2019

Seeing Orange Puffing up like orange balloons April 1, 2017

Giant Cannibal A giant star becomes a cannibal March 16, 2017

Betelgeuse Explodes Death gets closer for a giant star December 30, 2016

Birth of a Giant Locating the birthplace of a giant December 29, 2016

Moon and Betelgeuse The life and times of a supergiant November 16, 2016

Interferometry Taking the measure of a giant February 8, 2016

Moon and Betelgeuse Tracking a big, brilliant star August 8, 2015

Moon and Aldebaran Similar but different lights near the Moon August 6, 2015

Featured Images

Orion

Bad Homes January 31, 2019
Betelgeuse, Aldebaran, and the Sun

Seeing Orange April 1, 2017
Infrared view of Betelgeuse

Messy Star April 12, 2013
Visible- and infrared-light views of Orion

Double Vision January 25, 2013
Orion, Jupiter, and other sights in late November

Orion Rising November 26, 2012
Plumes of gas spew into space from the roiling surface of Betelgeuse, the bright

Stellar Timebomb December 1, 2011