Astronomers are fascinated by Betelgeuse, a bright red supergiant star. Unlike most stars that seem like small dots in the sky, Betelgeuse shines with notable intensity, making it easier for scientists to study. It’s been acting a bit unpredictably, dimming and brightening over time.
In July 2025, researchers discovered a companion star in Betelgeuse’s outer atmosphere. This companion, named Siwarha, could explain the odd behavior of Betelgeuse. Thanks to observations from the Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based telescopes, scientists confirmed Siwarha’s existence and managed to detect its wake—a trail of material produced as it moves through Betelgeuse’s atmosphere.
Andrea Dupree, who led the study at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, noted, “A theory about Betelgeuse having a companion has circulated for years, but we needed direct evidence.” She explained that finding Siwarha’s wake allows us to better understand how massive stars evolve and eventually explode as supernovae.
Combining Hubble’s data with insights from observatories in Arizona and the Canary Islands, the team noticed significant changes in Betelgeuse’s brightness. They could identify Siwarha’s wake, which is denser than the gas surrounding Betelgeuse.
When Siwarha passes between Betelgeuse and Earth every six years, the trail becomes visible. This phenomenon influences the colors emitted by elements in Betelgeuse’s atmosphere, much like a boat leaving ripples in water. “For the first time, we’re seeing clear signs of the wake,” Dupree said, confirming the presence of Siwarha.
Siwarha will appear again in 2027, and scientists are gearing up for further observations. The findings were presented at the 247th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Phoenix, Arizona, and will be published in The Astrophysical Journal.
According to recent statistics, more people are interested in astronomy than ever before. Surveys show that nearly 70% of adults in the U.S. want to learn more about the universe. The rise of social media has fueled this, with hashtags like #SpaceExploration trending widely, showcasing the growing public fascination with celestial phenomena. As events like the discovery of Siwarha capture attention, they inspire even more interest in stars and their mysteries.
The ongoing research surrounding Betelgeuse not only enhances our understanding of stars but also serves as a reminder of how much we still have to explore in the universe.
