Betelgeuse Supergiant Star as seen by VLT

The new VLT image of Betelgeuse shows the surrounding nebula, which is bigger than the supergiant itself, stretching about 37 billion miles (60 billion kilometers) away from the star's surface. Star itself is also seen and it is estimated to be at least 1 solar hour across, or diameter of billion kilometer.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Betelgeuse
• Star
• Supergiant Stars
• Supernova
• Space
• VLT
• Astronomy
• Science
• Exploration
• alien

[micoforion]

@rollsthepaul well, it would be strange as observation of the star do not indicate that it would go supernova so soon, at least 10 000 years left if not 100 000 left in the star. Original mass of the star was around 20 solar masses, and star is loosing about 1 solar mas every 100 000 years, Estimated mass of the star right now is between 15 and 18 solar masses, i'd say star has about 100 000 years left in it, I could be wrong mind you.

[rollsthepaul]

@micoforion They meant that Betelgeuse went supernova about 562 years ago and we will see it in 38 years

[micoforion]

@rollsthepaul hm, not sure who said that, but if it did go supernova, yo'd see it in around 600 years time, give a take few years.