Astronomers uncover Betelgeuse’s mysterious companion: It is just a regular star

Betelgeuse is one of the brightest stars in Earth's night sky. (Image: ESO/Digitized Sky Survey 2/Davide De Martin)

Astronomers have discovered the real nature of the long-suspected companion star to "Betelgeuse". It is not an exotic object as many of us expected it to be. Based on new X-rays from NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory, this is the bright red supergiant in Orion. This star is paired not with a collapsed stellar remnant, but with a surprisingly ordinary star.

No X-Rays, No Compact Object

Scientists had assumed that the companion of the Betelgeuse is either a white dwarf or a neutron star which siphon material off their partners. Nonetheless, Chandra sensitive detectors did not encounter such emissions.

Astronomers explained that it eliminates the possibility of an ultra-dense, accreting object orbiting the massive red giant around which the supermassive black hole lies.

An Unexpected Neighbour

The research team decided that companion which is dubbed α Ori B or 'Siwarha', is likely a young, F-type main-sequence star. This star is a little hotter and brighter than our Sun.

This observation implies that both of the stars were created in the same time period which is almost 10 million years ago. But 'betelgeuse' is much larger that it grew in rapid frenzy into a red supergiant with a swollen appearance and its smaller counterpart was left relatively new.

A Rare Binary Pair

This kind of combination which means a large, massive, almost dying star are unusual in astronomy. The insights into the process of the formation and survival of this binary system can help better understand the future of the massive stars.

These insights would work during the violent growth of Betelgeuse. These massive stars can be observed better when they are in the verge of supernova occurrence.

Lighting up the Future of Betelgeuse

The recent findings of darkening and eruption on the surface of the Betelgeuse have drawn both the attention of scientists and other stargazers. The fact that it has found an unimposing companion now provides a new insight into the environment and evolution of the star.

When the Betelgeuse star is steadily approaching its morphing death, its silent neighbour can assist the astronomers in unpuzzling all the mysterious processes that create dying stars.