Alpha Orionis Apr 2026

(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

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 . alpha orionis

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

Despite being only about 8 to 10 million years old —much younger than our 4.6-billion-year-old Sun—its massive size caused it to evolve rapidly. Usually the 10th brightest star in the night

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).

Betelgeuse is a , meaning its brightness fluctuates over time.