Hubble Telescope spies ‘wake’ of supergiant Beutelgeuse’s hidden companion star

Key Takeaways:

• Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star.
• The companion star’s existence was recently confirmed by NASA’s Hubble and Earth-based observatories.
• A visible “wake” in the star’s extended outer atmosphere suggests a strong gravitational interplay.
• Observations were led by NASA’s Andrea Dupree.
• Findings may help us better understand how massive stars evolve.

Observing Betelgeuse

Betelgeuse, often admired as one of the brightest stars in Earth’s night sky, has long intrigued scientists. Harnessing instruments from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope along with ground-based observatories, researchers recently honed in on the subtle mysteries of this red supergiant’s vast and extended outer atmosphere.

A Hidden Companion Emerges

After years of speculation, fresh data confirm that Betelgeuse is not alone. Scientists detected a hidden companion star influencing Betelgeuse’s outer layers, creating what appears to be a “wake” within the supergiant’s swirling gases. This newly confirmed presence helps explain unexpected variations in Betelgeuse’s atmosphere, revealing the intricate dance of massive stars and their partners.

NASA’s Role and Ongoing Research

The breakthrough was achieved through collaborative efforts by NASA’s teams and Earth-based telescopes. Andrea Dupree—among the researchers leading these studies—has underscored the importance of continuous monitoring for red supergiant stars. By analyzing Betelgeuse’s interactions with its companion, astronomers hope to refine current models of stellar evolution and gain a deeper understanding of how giant stars behave when accompanied by close-orbiting partners.