Betelgeuse is haunted by a cosmic poltergeist tormenting the doomed star's atmosphere
Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star in Orion, is experiencing atmospheric disturbances caused by a companion star. Radio observations reveal the smaller star, Siwarha, is plowing through Betelgeuse's extended atmosphere, creating a wake and subtly distorting the red supergiant's shape. This interaction is affecting Betelgeuse's atmosphere, causing it to be 'haunted' by a cosmic poltergeist-like effect.
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- ✓ Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star in the equatorial constellation of Orion.
- ✓ Betelgeuse has a radius between 640 and 764 times that of the Sun.
- ✓ The star's distance from Earth is estimated to be around 400-600 light-years.
- ✓ A companion star, Siwarha, is orbiting close to Betelgeuse and passing through its extended atmosphere.
What changed
Recent radio observations have confirmed the presence of a companion star, Siwarha, and its impact on Betelgeuse's atmosphere.
Live updates
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Betelgeuse Atmosphere Disturbed by Companion Star
Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star in Orion, is experiencing atmospheric disturbances caused by a companion star. Radio observations reveal the smaller star, Siwarha, is plowing through Betelgeuse's extended atmosphere, creating a wake and subtly distorting the red supergiant's shape. This interaction is affecting Betelgeuse's atmosphere, causing it to be 'haunted' by a cosmic poltergeist-like effect.
Why it matters
Betelgeuse is a distinctly reddish, semiregular variable star with an apparent magnitude varying between +0.0 and +1.6. It is one of the brightest stars in the night sky and has a radius between 640 and 764 times that of the Sun. The star's distance from Earth is estimated to be around 400-600 light-years.
What is confirmed
- Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star in the equatorial constellation of Orion.
- Betelgeuse has a radius between 640 and 764 times that of the Sun.
- The star's distance from Earth is estimated to be around 400-600 light-years.
- A companion star, Siwarha, is orbiting close to Betelgeuse and passing through its extended atmosphere.
- The companion star is causing disturbances in Betelgeuse's atmosphere, creating a wake and distorting its shape.
What to watch next
- Further radio observations to monitor the interaction between Betelgeuse and Siwarha
- Determination of Siwarha's exact orbit and mass
- ALMA and VLA observations to study the effects on Betelgeuse's atmosphere
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (12)
- www.space.com — Space.com: NASA, Space Exploration and Astronomy News
- en.wikipedia.org — Betelgeuse - Wikipedia
- Space — Betelgeuse is haunted by a cosmic poltergeist tormenting the doomed star's atmosphere
- Sci.News — Betelgeuse’s Atmosphere is Back to Normal after Great Dimming Event, New Radio Observations Show
- ALMA Observatory — ALMA and VLA Reveal Signs of a Companion Stirring Betelgeuse’s Atmosphere
- Universe Today — Betelgeuse Is Disturbed By Its Companion Star
- ua.news — Radio observations show companion’s impact on Betelgeuse’s atmosphere — Space.com
- www.space.com — Betelgeuse is haunted by a cosmic poltergeist tormenting the ...
- article.wn.com — Betelgeuse is haunted by a cosmic poltergeist tormenting the ...
- www.sciencedaily.com — A hidden star is plowing through Betelgeuse’s atmosphere, new ...
- scienceofficial.org — Betelgeuse shows unexplained atmospheric disturbances
- www.almaobservatory.org — ALMA and VLA Reveal Signs of a Companion Stirring Betelgeuse ...
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