Discover the Secret Companion of Betelgeuse: What This Famous Star’s Hidden Partner Means for the Night Sky

Astronomers have made an exciting discovery—a star they believe is orbiting the famous Betelgeuse. This bright red supergiant, known for its vivid reddish hue, is a popular sight in the Orion constellation. Its brightness has fascinated skywatchers for centuries, especially with its changes over time. Now, this new star could help explain why Betelgeuse varies in brightness.

Betelgeuse experienced a significant dimming event from late 2019 to early 2020. Astronomers feared it might explode into a supernova. They later discovered that a large dust cloud ejected by Betelgeuse blocked some of its light. This event called the “Great Dimming,” sparked greater interest in understanding why the star’s brightness fluctuates every six years.

A recent study using advanced imaging techniques revealed a companion star, affectionately named “Betelbuddy.” The researchers suggest calling it Siwarha, an Arabic term that means “her bracelet,” fitting as Betelgeuse translates to “Hand of the Giant.” Understanding this star’s dynamics could provide insights into the interactions between the two stars.

Betelgeuse is massive—about 700 times the size of our sun and 18 times more massive. If it replaced the sun, it would reach past the orbit of Jupiter, shining between 7,500 and 14,000 times brighter than our sun. Though it’s only 10 million years old, it’s nearing the end of its life because it has exhausted its hydrogen fuel.

This massive star’s light pulsates every 416 days, a typical pattern for red supergiants. However, it also shows an unusual six-year cycle of brightness changes that puzzled scientists until now. Previous observations with the Hubble Space Telescope and NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory couldn’t detect a companion star, mainly due to Betelgeuse’s overwhelming brightness.

To overcome these challenges, a team led by Steve Howell at NASA used a special tool called ‘Alopeke’ to capture thousands of quick images of Betelgeuse. These images helped cancel out atmospheric distortions, leading to a clearer picture. They found the companion star behind the much brighter Betelgeuse, confirming earlier predictions about its existence.

The faint blue glow from this companion star is a mere four-tenths of one percent as bright as Betelgeuse, making detection tricky. Researchers suggest this star is in a close orbit, about four times the distance from Earth to the sun. The key to spotting it was its different color from Betelgeuse.

Howell expressed surprise at the immediate clarity in the data, noting that the companion star appeared stronger than expected. Morgan MacLeod, another astronomer who tracked Betelgeuse’s movement since 1896, echoed this sentiment. His research indicated a consistent six-year pattern, consistent with the presence of the new star.

To confirm the presence of this newly found companion star, astronomers plan further observations. They still hope to see it track along its predicted orbit, which would solidify its existence. Upcoming opportunities for observation are set for November 2027 when the companion star will be easier to see from Earth.

Interestingly, about 30% of red giant stars could have similar companions. Understanding Betelgeuse and its friend may reveal more about star and planet formation in hard-to-observe systems. However, there’s still uncertainty surrounding Betelgeuse’s fate. It might explode as a supernova, which could destroy its companion star. As Howell said, “The future is not good for either star.”

This discovery showcases how even well-studied stars can still hold mysteries. It’s a reminder that the universe continues to surprise us, offering astronomers an ever-growing field of study.

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