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Betelgeuse Information

From Nick Greene, About.com Guide

Other Names:

  • Betelguex
  • Betelgeuze
  • Beteiguex
  • Al Mankib
  • Alpha Orionis
  • HR 2061
  • HD 39801

Data:

  • Right Ascension: 05 55 10.3
  • Declination: +07 24 25
  • Apparent Magnitude: 0.50(var.)
  • Absolute Magnitude: -7.2
  • Distance: ~1400 LY
  • Spectral Type: M1-2Ia-Iab

Constellation:

Orion

Betelgeuse Information:


Betelgeuse is the tenth brightest star in the sky. It is a red supergiant about 13,000 times brighter than our sun and over 1000 times larger. If you placed Betelgeuse in the place of our sun, it would extend past the orbit of Jupiter. Its name is from the Arabic armpit, and is near the right shoulder of Orion. It is nearing the end of its life and will soon become a supernova. Betelgeuse is in the constellation Orion.
Nick Greene
Guide since 2002

Nick Greene
Space / Astronomy Guide

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