Betelgeuse - α Orionis (alpha Orionis)
Betelgeuse, also designated as α Orionis (alpha Orionis), is a variable and multiple supergiant star of spectral class M1 in the constellation of Orion.
Betelgeuse visual magnitude is 0.5, making it the 10th brightest star in the sky. Because of its brightness, Betelgeuse is clearly visible to the naked eye when observed from locations with dark skies, and should be also quite easily visible from light polluted areas.
Celestial Coordinates
Apparent
J2000
Galactic Coordinates
Finder Chart
Simplified finder chart for Betelgeuse - α Orionis (alpha Orionis).
Magnitude, Color, Spectral Class
The red dot in the diagram below shows where Betelgeuse is situated in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram.
Star System Properties
Betelgeuse is a visual double star which can be observed only with the help of very large telescopes. The table below shows key information about the Betelgeuse double sysyem:
Distance, Radial Speed, Proper Motion
Betelgeuse is distant 427.26 light years from the Sun and it is moving far from the Sun at the speed of 21 kilometers per second.
Alternative Designations
Visibility from Your Location
Today's Betelgeuse - α Orionis (alpha Orionis) rise, transit and set times from Greenwich, UK are the following (all times relative to the local timezone Europe/London):