Betelgeuse, also known as Beetlejuice, has been a star that has captivated amateur astronomers for years. This red supergiant variable star located in the Orion constellation has recently gained even more attention due to its unexpected dimming phenomenon. With a few cycles of variability, one of them occurring over a 2,170-day period, Betelgeuse continues to intrigue scientists and stargazers alike.
A recent paper has proposed a theory suggesting that a companion star with a mass of 1.17 solar masses could be the cause of Betelgeuse’s dimming. This companion star would need to orbit at a distance about 2.43 times the radius of Betelgeuse. The modulation of dust in the region surrounding the star could be responsible for the variations observed in its brightness.
The Great Betelgeuse
Betelgeuse is one of the brightest stars in the sky, located prominently at the upper left of the Orion constellation. It is often referred to as the shoulder of the hunter, although some translations humorously suggest it could also be the armpit of the giant. Being one of the largest stars visible to the naked eye, Betelgeuse boasts a radius approximately 1,000 times that of the Sun. Its distance of 642 light years from Earth indicates it emits about 100,000 times more light than the Sun.
Betelgeuse experienced a significant dimming event towards the end of 2019, only to return to its normal brightness in the first half of 2020. This phenomenon, coined “The Great Dimming,” attracted widespread attention and speculation. The cause of this dimming has been attributed to a dust cloud that affected the star’s luminosity.
As a variable star, Betelgeuse displays a Long Secondary Period (LSP) of approximately 2,100 days. This lengthy cycle is common among stars in the Red Giant Branch and can vary from a few hundred to thousands of days. The mechanism behind the LSP remains unknown, but it is believed to be a secondary cycle to a shorter one. This enigmatic behavior has led to theories suggesting that Betelgeuse may be larger than expected, potentially inching closer towards a supernova explosion in the next few hundred years.
A New Explanation
Recent research has proposed an alternative explanation for the long-term variability of Betelgeuse. A low-mass companion star named Ori B, orbiting Betelgeuse, could be modulating the dust surrounding the system. When this companion star transits in front of Betelgeuse, it leads to a reduction in the star’s brightness. This new theory challenges previous assumptions about Betelgeuse’s evolutionary timeline and the likelihood of a supernova event in the near future.
The mystery of Betelgeuse’s variability continues to fascinate astronomers and researchers. The recent findings shed light on potential explanations for its unexpected behavior, offering new perspectives on the evolution of massive stars in our universe. As we uncover more about Betelgeuse and its enigmatic nature, we are reminded of the vast complexities and wonders of the cosmos.
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