The bright star in the constellation Orion, Betelgeuse actually have a companion star? This question is gaining attention after recent research suggest that a partner star might explain Betelgeuse’s unusual brightness changes.
Betelgeuse has been observe dimming in a way that has spark discussions about when it might go supernova, also Known as a red supergiant.
A team of researchers, led by Jared Goldberg from the Flatiron Institute’s Centre for Computational Astrophysics, has put forward an important idea.
Researchers believe that an unseen companion star, playfully call as “Betelbuddy,” could be influencing Betelgeuse’s light.
By using computer simulations to study the star’s activity, the researchers eliminate other possible reasons for its fluctuating brightness and land on the idea of a companion.
Betelgeuse is an impressive sight, shining about 100,000 times brighter than our Sun and having a volume over 400 million times greater.
The propose companion could be acting like a snowplough, pushing away dust that blocks light.
This interaction might lead to moments when Betelgeuse appears even brighter from our perspective on Earth.
Betelgeuse exhibits two different brightness patterns.
One lasts just over a year and the other stretches to about 6 years.
The shorter period is likely an intrinsic quality of the star, reflecting its natural behaviour.
In contrast, the longer period might suggest that something external, like a companion star, is at play.
If the long cycle is indeed a fundamental trait of Betelgeuse, it could signal that a supernova is approaching sooner than expected.
László Molnár, a co-author from the Konkoly Observatory in Hungary, express excitement about the possibility of discovering a star hidden behind Betelgeuse’s brightness.
The research has accept for publication in The Astrophysical Journal and is currently available for public viewing on arXiv.
