Distinctive orange-red hue, visible even without equipment. Variability and Observation

Usually the 10th brightest star in the night sky, its magnitude typically ranges from +0.0 to +1.3 .

(α Orionis), famously known as Betelgeuse , is a massive red supergiant marking the western shoulder of the constellation Orion . It is one of the largest and most luminous stars visible to the naked eye. Physical Characteristics

Betelgeuse is a , meaning its brightness fluctuates over time.

Recent studies suggest the existence of a smaller, Sun-like companion star (Betelgeuse B) that may influence its long-term brightness cycles. Life Cycle and Future

It is roughly 100,000 times brighter than the Sun but significantly cooler, with a surface temperature of approximately 3,600 Kelvin (6,020°F).

A red supergiant nearing the end of its life cycle.

If placed at the center of our solar system, it would engulf the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, likely extending past Jupiter's orbit .