What constellation is Betelgeuse in?
Quick answer
Betelgeuse is in the constellation Orion, the Hunter, where it marks Orion’s right shoulder (on the upper left as we see it from the Northern Hemisphere). It’s a red supergiant star, so large that if it replaced our Sun, it would extend past the orbit of Mars and possibly Jupiter.
Key facts
- Constellation
- Orion
- Type
- Red supergiant
- Distance
- About 550–700 light-years (estimates vary)
- Pronunciation
- Usually “BET-el-juice” or “BEET-el-jooz”
Betelgeuse is one of the brightest stars in the night sky and one of the easiest to spot, thanks to its warm orange glow.
How to find it
- Look for Orion’s Belt: three bright stars in a short, straight line.
- Above the belt to the left (from the Northern Hemisphere) is a bright orange-red star: Betelgeuse.
- Below the belt to the right is the bright blue-white star Rigel.
Orion is best seen on winter evenings in the Northern Hemisphere (summer in the Southern Hemisphere), and it’s visible from almost everywhere on Earth.
Orion’s brightest stars
| Star | Color | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Betelgeuse | Red-orange | Right shoulder |
| Rigel | Blue-white | Left foot |
| Bellatrix | Blue | Left shoulder |
| Alnitak, Alnilam, Mintaka | Blue | The Belt |
The Great Dimming
In late 2019 and early 2020, Betelgeuse faded dramatically, losing more than half its brightness and sparking excitement that it might be about to explode. Astronomers later found the cause was a huge cloud of dust, released by the star, that temporarily blocked its light.
Will it go supernova?
Yes, eventually. Betelgeuse is near the end of its life and will explode as a supernova, probably within the next 100,000 years. When it does, it could shine as brightly as the half Moon and be visible in daylight for weeks. It’s far enough away that it poses no danger to Earth.
Where the name comes from
“Betelgeuse” comes from an Arabic phrase, often translated as “the hand of the giant” (yad al-jawzāʾ), later garbled by medieval translators.
For other space wonders, see what the Andromeda Galaxy is and what an event horizon is. Our own star is much smaller; see how hot the Sun is.
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