Astronomers Captured New Images of Betelgeuse
The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array revealed persistent hot spots on the red supergiant's surface.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Space
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Astronomers have utilized the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array to capture high-resolution images of Betelgeuse. The data reveals two persistent hot patches on the surface of the red supergiant star, which is located 600 light-years from Earth.
Why it matters
These stable surface features provide researchers with insight into giant convective cells that move hot gas from the stellar interior. The persistence of these spots over several years suggests potential stable convection in polar regions or the influence of a companion star.
The imaging captured a sub-millimeter photosphere with a temperature of approximately 2300 K, while clumpy gas was observed extending to 2.5 times the stellar radius. The star exhibits radius deviations of up to 6 percent from perfect roundness.
The players
Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array
This is an international astronomical interferometer located in the Atacama Desert that observes the universe in millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelengths.
Betelgeuse
Located in the constellation Orion, this star is a red supergiant that is among the brightest and largest stars visible to the naked eye.
The details
Betelgeuse is a massive red supergiant measuring 800 times the size of the Sun that will eventually end as a supernova visible during daylight hours. High-resolution images from the telescope array show the star's surface dynamics, including the movement of gas from its interior.
Timeline
2019: Previous data was collected for comparison to recent observations.
2020: The star experienced a significant dimming event.
October 2026: The new imaging results were published.
The Big Picture
This observation marks a significant shift in stellar physics by confirming that massive convective structures on red supergiants remain stable over years. This finding updates legacy models that previously assumed such features on the star's surface would be short-lived.
The study of red supergiants like Betelgeuse helps refine astronomical models used to predict the life cycles of massive stars. This research contributes to a broader scientific understanding of how stars evolve before eventually exploding as supernovae.
The takeaway
The stability of these surface features challenges previous theories about the chaotic nature of giant stars. Understanding these patterns helps astronomers better predict the eventual collapse of massive stars into supernovae.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the field of Space.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tech Explorist.
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