Star
Betelgeuse
M1–2 Ia red supergiant
One of the largest stars visible to the naked eye — if placed at the Sun's position, its surface would extend beyond the orbit of Mars. It is a semi-regular variable and will eventually explode as a supernova, though not necessarily for ~100,000 years.
In your sky
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Key facts
Distance
~550 light-years (uncertain)
Apparent mag.
0.0 to +1.6 (variable)
Radius
~760 × Sun
Temperature
~3,600 K
Mass
~16–19 × Sun
Spectral type
M1-2Ia
True colour from its B–V index (1.85): a surface around 3300 K.
Did you know
- In 2019–2020 it dimmed dramatically after ejecting a cloud of dust — the 'Great Dimming'.
- Its name derives from Arabic, roughly 'hand of al-Jauzā'.
- When it goes supernova it may rival the half Moon in brightness.
