• Key Information
  • Betelgeuse

  • Type
    Star System
  • Diameter
    606,932,352 miles to 760,826,880 miles
  • Distance
    548 light years
  • Temperature
    6,000 °F
  • Star Type
    M1–M2 Ia–ab - Red Supergiant
  • Date of Discovery
    Unknown
  • Learning Point
  • Betelgeuse is the largest star we can see with our own eyes, and is a red supergiant, very likely to be near the end of its life. In recent years there were concerns that it might be about to go supernova, but so far that hasn't happened.
  • Project
  • Draw Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star.
  • Location
  • Located in
    Orion, Milky Way
  • Fun Facts
  • Betelgeuse is difficult to measure because as a red supergiant star, it doesn't have a stable shape. This makes it harder to be sure of its real size and distance from us.
  • In 2020 it dimmed considerably, but this was probably due to dust and gas blocking some of the light to us.
  • It is likely to be so big that it would pass the orbit of Jupiter if we placed it where the sun is.
  • The star is at the end of the main part of its life, and being as big as it is, will likely go supernova, leaving either a neutron star or black hole behind.