Astronomers are buzzing about a new discovery linked to Betelgeuse, the famous red supergiant star in the Orion constellation. They’ve found strong evidence suggesting that it has a hidden companion star. This companion, dubbed “Siwarha,” is believed to create a wispy trail of gas through Betelgeuse’s outer atmosphere, much like the wake of a boat cutting through water.
Betelgeuse is a massive star, about 650 light-years away. It’s so large that over 400 million suns could fit inside it! Despite its brightness, mysteries surround it. One of the most interesting is why it changes brightness in a six-year cycle. Scientists have linked this variation to Siwarha, which likely orbits Betelgeuse every six years.
In a recent study, astronomers noted this dense gas trail, confirming Siwarha’s influence. Lead author Andrea Dupree from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics explained, “It’s the first time we’re seeing direct evidence of this wake.” Siwarha is likely too faint to spot directly, but its effects on Betelgeuse are clear.
Betelgeuse itself is about 15 times the mass of our Sun, while Siwarha appears smaller, possibly even less than our Sun. The Hubble Space Telescope, alongside ground observatories, has helped monitor Betelgeuse’s behavior. These observations revealed unusual patterns and disturbances, hinting at a surrounding companion.
Interestingly, Siwarha’s wake seems to affect Betelgeuse’s atmosphere and brightness. Co-author Morgan MacLeod noted that understanding this interaction could help astronomers learn more about other distant giant stars and their variability.
Recent months have been quite eventful for Betelgeuse. In late 2019 and early 2020, it dimmed sharply, sparking concerns it may explode as a supernova. This phenomenon, called the “Great Dimming,” was later attributed to a large dust cloud blocking some of its light.
Betelgeuse also has a regular brightness variation every 416 days, typical for red supergiants. The longer six-year cycle, associated with Siwarha, has led to a deeper exploration of these massive stars.
The research team’s findings support past studies suggesting that Siwarha could impact Betelgeuse’s eventual supernova. “Finding this wake gives us insights into how stars like Betelgeuse evolve,” Dupree said. “Other supergiants showing similar patterns might also have unseen companions.”
As for Siwarha’s future, it’s likely being pulled closer to Betelgeuse. This may lead to a merger within the next 9,000 years, which could dramatically affect Betelgeuse’s final moments.
In upcoming years, astronomers hope to detect Siwarha directly. “Seeing the companion will be the ultimate proof of its existence,” said Edward Guinan, a professor of astronomy. With Siwarha potentially coming into view around 2027, the cosmic intrigue surrounding Betelgeuse just keeps getting better.
For those interested in more details about Betelgeuse’s intriguing dynamics and the science behind it, refer to trusted sources like NASA or the Hubble Space Telescope website.
