Betelgeuse, also known as Beetle-juice, has long been a favorite among amateur astronomers due to its prominent location in the constellation Orion. This red supergiant variable star is one of the largest stars visible to the naked eye, with a radius approximately 1,000 times that of the Sun. Located 642 light years away, Betelgeuse shines brightly in the night sky, giving off about 100,000 times more light than our own Sun.
In recent years, Betelgeuse has captured special attention due to its unexpected dimming that occurred towards the end of 2019. This dimming event, now known as ‘The Great Dimming,’ puzzled astronomers and sparked numerous theories about its cause. The star has a few cycles of variability, including a Long Secondary Period (LSP) of approximately 2,170 days, which is significantly longer than its normal pulsation period.
A recently published paper suggests that a companion star with a mass of 1.17 solar masses could be responsible for the unusual dimming of Betelgeuse. This companion star, proposed to be named Ori B, would need to orbit at a distance about 2.43 times the radius of Betelgeuse. The presence of this companion could lead to the modulation of dust in the region surrounding the star, resulting in the variations in brightness that have been observed.
If the existence of Ori B is confirmed, it would have significant implications for our understanding of Betelgeuse’s evolution. The companion star could potentially be modulating the dust cloud around the system, causing periodic reductions in brightness when it passes in front of Betelgeuse. This hypothesis challenges previous beliefs that the dimming was due to an impending supernova event and suggests that we may have more time before Betelgeuse reaches the end of its lifecycle.
The discovery of a companion star orbiting Betelgeuse opens up new possibilities for studying the behavior of this enigmatic star. If Ori B is indeed responsible for the dimming, it could provide valuable insights into the mechanisms behind the variability of red supergiant stars. This ongoing research highlights the dynamic nature of the universe and the importance of continued observation and analysis in unraveling its mysteries. As astronomers continue to monitor Betelgeuse and its surroundings, we may soon uncover more clues to the true nature of this fascinating celestial body.
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