Betelgeuse

Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star Class M star located in the constellation Orion ,easily visible to the naked eye due to its brightness, despite 
being approximately 642.5 light-years from Earth. With an apparent magnitude fluctuating around 0.42, Betelgeuse is a semi-regular variable star, meaning its brightness changes over time. These variations are a characteristic of stars nearing the end of their life cycles.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Betelgeuse is its enormous size. The star has a radius about 1,000 times that of the Sun, making it one of the largest known stars. Despite its surface temperature being relatively cool at around 3,500 K, its luminosity is roughly 100,000 timesmgreater than that of the Sun. This immense brightness is due to its vast size, even though its temperature gives it a distinct red color.
Betelgeuse has an estimated mass of between 10 to 20 times that of the Sun. This high mass is the reason Betelgeuse is expected to go supernova soon, in astronomical terms. When it does, the event will be a Type II supernova, caused by the collapse of the star's core once it exhausts its nuclear fuel. Although "soon" in astronomical terms could mean within the next 100,000 years, the explosion will be visible from Earth and could even be observable during the day.
The gravitational force at the surface of Betelgeuse is weaker than expected for such a massive star because of its vast radius. As a result, while Betelgeuse has an enormous mass, its surface gravity is not as strong as smaller, denser stars.
Betelgeuse’s rotation speed is slow, typical of massive supergiant stars. As stars expand during their aging process, their rotation slows considerably, which is why Betelgeuse spins at a much slower rate than younger, smaller stars like the Sun.
Once Betelgeuse undergoes its supernova explosion, it will likely outshine the moon for a period of time and will become one of the most significant astronomical events witnessed by humanity. While the exact timing of this event is uncertain, the explosion will provide astronomers with invaluable data about the life cycle of massive stars and the process of supernovae.
In summary, Betelgeuse is nearing the end of its life as a red supergiant. Its vast size, immense luminosity, and variable brightness make it a subject of great interest. The star’s eventual supernova explosion will be a rare and spectacular event, providing critical insights into stellar evolution. Though Betelgeuse's supernova may not occur for thousands of years, its impending fate continues to captivate astronomers and the general public alike.
== Mass ==
10 to 20 times the mass of the Sun
== Theoretical images for betelgeuse after the supernova ==
Category:Star