This page was generated automatically, to view the article in its initial position you can follow the link below:
https://m.economictimes.com/news/science/orion-constellation-star-betelgeuse-might-actually-be-two-separate-stellar-bodies-a-shocking-new-study-suggests/articleshow/113316039.cms
and if you wish to remove this article from our website please reach out to us
This “long secondary period” (LSP), as specialists refer to it, does not quite align with the typical behavior of Betelgeuse. Could it be dusty clouds? Unusual magnetic fields? None of the usual explanations seemed to completely clarify the situation. That’s where it becomes intriguing.
Introducing “Betelbuddy”
Co-author Meridith Joyce and her group have suggested an extraordinary hypothesis: Betelgeuse might have a companion, endearingly called “Betelbuddy.” This sun-sized partner could be accountable for Betelgeuse’s enigmatic LSP. According to the team’s estimates, Betelbuddy occasionally passes through the dense dust clouds enveloping Betelgeuse. When this happens, it clears the dust, allowing Betelgeuse to shine more brightly from our perspective.
What’s particularly exciting about this theory is that, while Betelbuddy might be a typical companion star, there’s also the thrilling chance that it could be something substantially denser — perhaps a collapsed neutron star. However, if Betelbuddy were indeed a neutron star, we would anticipate detecting X-ray emissions, which have not yet been observed. So, the conclusion is still pending.
A celestial enigma awaiting resolution
While the idea of Betelgeuse belonging to a binary star system remains speculative, it is not entirely implausible. Numerous stars are recognized to possess companions, and Betelgeuse may just be another addition to this cosmic family.
Confirming the presence of Betelbuddy will be challenging. The technology needed to identify such a companion is still being improved, but astronomers are preparing for some crucial observations later this year. Perhaps we’ll soon find out if this iconic red supergiant is truly co-starring.
The research has been published in a pre-print journal and can be accessed here.
This page was generated automatically, to view the article in its initial position you can follow the link below:
https://m.economictimes.com/news/science/orion-constellation-star-betelgeuse-might-actually-be-two-separate-stellar-bodies-a-shocking-new-study-suggests/articleshow/113316039.cms
and if you wish to remove this article from our website please reach out to us