Astronomers are excited about a potential discovery of a companion star to Betelgeuse, the bright red supergiant in the Orion constellation. This companion, theorized for over a century, was recently imaged and faintly detected using advanced astronomical techniques, though significant skepticism remains about the reliability of this observation. The findings will be discussed in an upcoming issue of the Astrophysical Journal Letters. While many in the field acknowledge the importance of the discovery, they agree that further observations are necessary to confirm the companion’s existence.
If validated, this companion star could be designated α Orionis B, though it has informally been nicknamed "Betelbuddy." The researchers proposing this name suggest "Siwarha," which translates to "her bracelet" in Arabic, alluding to Betelgeuse itself, whose name means "hand of the giant." The companion orbits Betelgeuse at a mere distance of four times that between the Earth and the Sun, placing it dangerously close within the supergiant’s extended outer atmosphere.
This precarious position raises questions about the companion’s future; astronomers estimate that it could be engulfed by Betelgeuse within approximately 10,000 years, a fate explained by the drag caused by its orbit. The companion star, around 1.6 times the mass of the sun, likely formed simultaneously with Betelgeuse nearly 10 million years ago, although its lower mass has delayed its stellar evolution and prevented it from beginning hydrogen fusion. This unique pairing highlights a relatively unexplored dynamic between massive stars and their less massive companions.
Betelgeuse has been a focal point of studies due to its fluctuating brightness levels, notably observed during the event termed the Great Dimming in late 2019 through early 2020. Initially, this phenomenon raised alarms that Betelgeuse was nearing a supernova stage, but it later turned out to be a result of a significant cloud of dust blocking its light. The star’s irregular variability has led scientists to hypothesize about hidden features, like the expected companion, prompting numerous observational efforts until this latest imaging succeeded.
Using the 8.1-meter-wide Gemini North telescope in Hawaii, astronomers employed advanced imaging techniques designed to mitigate atmospheric distortions, yielding clearer images of Betelgeuse and its proposed companion. Despite the unresolved questions, this discovery reflects advances in observational astronomy and highlights potential avenues for further research into the dynamics of supergiant stars and their companions.
Moving forward, the next key opportunity for astronomers to observe Betelgeuse will be in November 2027, coinciding with the moment the companion will appear furthest from the supergiant as viewed from Earth. In the meantime, the scientific community eagerly awaits additional data that may provide greater clarity regarding this intriguing binary star scenario and enhance our understanding of Betelgeuse’s complexities and its newly discovered partner.
