Betelgeuse
Definition
Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star located in the constellation Orion. It is one of the largest and most luminous stars visible to the naked eye.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Betelgeuse is approximately 700 times larger than the Sun.
- It has a variable brightness, which means its luminosity changes over time.
- Betelgeuse is located about 640 light-years from Earth.
- It is expected to end its life in a supernova explosion within the next million years.
- The star's surface temperature is around 3,500 K, making it cooler than the Sun.
Review Questions
- What type of star is Betelgeuse?
- How does Betelgeuse's size compare to that of the Sun?
- What significant event will mark the end of Betelgeuse's lifecycle?
"Betelgeuse" appears in:
Study guides (7)
- Intro to Astronomy - 2.1 The Sky Above
- Intro to Astronomy - 17.2 Colors of Stars
- Intro to Astronomy - 17.3 The Spectra of Stars (and Brown Dwarfs)
- Intro to Astronomy - 18.3 Diameters of Stars
- Intro to Astronomy - 19.2 Surveying the Stars
- Intro to Astronomy - 21.1 Star Formation
- Intro to Astronomy - 22.1 Evolution from the Main Sequence to Red Giants
Related terms
Term: Red Supergiant
Term: Supernova
Term: Light-year
