Friendship Blossoms: Beige and His Companion
Betelgeuse, the second brightest star in the night sky (after Rigel) and a prominent red star located at the "shoulder" of the mythical hunter Orion, has long puzzled astronomers with its erratic brightness. However, a team of astronomers may have finally cracked the case, proposing a theory that could help us better understand the behaviour of variable stars like Betelgeuse.
The proposed explanation revolves around Betelgeuse's companion star, which is thought to be DFK 52. Simulations suggest that the interaction between the two stars can cause the observed brightness fluctuations. Overlaid on Betelgeuse's usual 416-day cycle is another fluctuation with a period of 2170 days, which has baffled astronomers for years.
The theory suggests that this 2170-day fluctuation is a result of Betelgeuse's orbital period around its companion. As the stars orbit each other, their gravitational interaction could cause changes in Betelgeuse's brightness.
While this proposed explanation is still a theory and requires further observation and verification, it could provide a significant insight into the behaviour of variable stars. Understanding Betelgeuse's fluctuations could help astronomers predict the behaviour of other variable stars, aiding in the study of stellar evolution and the life cycles of stars.
So, keep an eye on the night sky, as we may be witnessing a breakthrough in our understanding of one of the universe's most intriguing stars.
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