7 Facts about Betelgeuse, a giant star that is 700 times bigger than the sun

JAKARTA – Betelgeuse or what is called Alpha Orionis is bintang the second brightest in the constellation Orion with a magnitude of about 0.6. Plus this star has a lot done other unique that should be known to the public.

This star went dark in 2019 from a giant explosion of gas that condensed into dust as it cooled. But in 2020 it returned to its original brightness bringing the magnitude to 1.6.

Alpha Orionis is a star that even the casual observer can easily see, not only because of its brightness and brilliant position in Orion, but also because of its reddish color.

Read also: Astronomers believe that if it continues to fade, the star Betelgeuse will explode

Here are seven facts about Betelgeuse, a giant star that’s 700 times bigger than the sun.

1. Stars with unique names

The name Betelgeuse comes from the Arabic ‘yad al-jauza’ which means ‘hand centered’. Obviously the name doesn’t specifically refer to the stars or astronomy.

The name comes from Arab astronomers who at first saw the central constellation (“Jauza”) as the constellation closest to Gemini, but after studying Greek astronomy changed the name to refer to the constellation Orion.

2. It is shaped larger than the sun

Alpha Orionis is a large variable star ranging in size from 700 to 1,000 times more massive than the Sun. If it replaces the Sun in our solar system, it will reach the asteroid belt and expand into the orbit of Jupiter.