NASA’s Hubble Reveals ‘Wake’ of Betelgeuse’s Mysterious Companion Star

Astronomers have made a significant discovery regarding Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star located approximately 650 light-years from Earth in the constellation Orion. Utilizing observations from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope alongside ground-based observatories, researchers have tracked the effects of a newly identified companion star, Siwarha, on the gas surrounding Betelgeuse.

Discovery of Siwarha’s Wake

The Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian led this research, revealing a trail of dense gas swirling through Betelgeuse’s expansive atmosphere. The findings were announced at a recent press conference during the 247th meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Phoenix and are set to be published in The Astrophysical Journal.

The team monitored changes in Betelgeuse’s light over the span of eight years, ultimately detecting Siwarha’s wake. This wake manifests as evidence of the companion star disrupting the outer layers of Betelgeuse’s atmosphere, shedding light on the star’s peculiar behavior.

Impact on Betelgeuse’s Brightness

With a diameter hundreds of times greater than our Sun, Betelgeuse has intrigued astronomers for decades. The recent findings help explain why the star’s brightness and atmospheric characteristics present anomalies. Significant observations have shown that changes in the star’s spectrum correlate with the gravitational interaction with its companion.

• Betelgeuse is located about 650 light-years from Earth.
• The star can be observed in detail due to its size and proximity.
• Scientists have tracked variations in brightness and surface activity for years.
• The companion star appears to create a wake that influences the outer atmosphere.
• This effect has been likened to a boat moving through water.

Future Observations and Their Significance

Recent changes in light patterns helped confirm theoretical models about the companion star’s influence. The discovery of Siwarha’s wake resolves a long-standing mystery about Betelgeuse and opens new avenues for understanding the evolution of massive stars nearing their life’s end. As Betelgeuse eclipses Siwarha from our vantage point, astronomers are preparing for further observations anticipated to take place in 2027.

Andrea Dupree, a prominent astronomer involved in the study, emphasized the importance of this discovery. “This evidence allows us to better understand how giant stars like Betelgeuse shed materials and transition into supernovae,” she stated. This breakthrough not only enhances knowledge of Betelgeuse but could also shed light on similar stars across the universe.

The Hubble Space Telescope continues to provide remarkable insights into celestial phenomena after over three decades of operation. As a collaborative project between NASA and the European Space Agency, the Hubble mission remains a vital resource for astronomical research and discovery.