how far is betelgeuse from earth

how far is betelgeuse from earth

4 hours ago 3
Nature

Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star located in the constellation Orion. Its distance from Earth has been challenging to measure precisely, with estimates varying due to its variable brightness and measurement difficulties.

  • Traditional estimates place Betelgeuse at about 650 light-years from Earth
  • More refined measurements using space-based and radio telescopes suggest a distance closer to 724 light-years , with a range between approximately 613 and 881 light-years due to uncertainties
  • The most recent study using data from the Solar Mass Ejection Imager and advanced modeling techniques indicates Betelgeuse is actually about 548 light-years away , which is about 25% closer than previously thought

In summary, the current best estimate for Betelgeuse's distance from Earth is around 548 light-years , though some earlier and alternative measurements suggest distances up to about 724 light-years. This star is relatively close in astronomical terms, allowing detailed study despite the uncertainty in exact distance

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