[REVISION HISTORY]
Betelgeuse companion discovery
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2026-07-31 08:07 UTC → 2026-08-02 16:15 UTC ·
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In late July 2026, astronomers using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile announced the first clear image of a faint star orbiting the red supergiant Betelgeuse. The companion, designated Betelgeuse B, was captured with the SPHERE high‑contrast instrument during the December 2024 window when its separation from the primary was greatest. Measurements place placed the object about 8.8 AU from Betelgeuse and estimate estimated its mass at two to three times that of the Sun, matching the six‑year brightness‑variation cycle that has puzzled observers for a century. A subsequent report a few days later reaffirmed the finding, highlighting the stronger evidence for a massive companion and noting plans for follow‑up observations as the star moves to the opposite side of its orbit. Both releases underscore how advanced imaging techniques are resolving long‑standing questions about On 2 August 2026, a study published in *Astronomy & Astrophysics* and coordinated by ESO presented the most convincing evidence yet, confirming Betelgeuse B and refining its properties. The analysis, led by astronomer Miguel Montargès, estimates the companion’s mass to be roughly solar and suggests it orbits extremely close to Betelgeuse’s variability. expanded surface. This tighter orbital configuration further supports the long‑term six‑year brightness modulation and adds a new dimension to the study of massive binary supergiant systems.
Versions
- 2026-08-02 16:15 UTC Betelgeuse companion discovery
- 2026-07-31 08:07 UTC Betelgeuse companion discovery
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