When is the best time to observe Betelgeuse?
We find out the ideal time to observe the red supergiant star
The distinctly reddish Betelgeuse is due to go supernova in the next million years. Image Credit: ESO
Asked by Mark Williams
Betelgeuse is in the constellation of Orion, which is best observed during the winter. Being 500 times bigger and throwing out around 16,000 times more visible light than the Sun, this red supergiant star is easily visible to the naked eye at a magnitude +0.42 – despite being 643 light years away.
If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, then you will see Betelgeuse rising in the east just after sunset during the earlier part of January. However, during the months either side of this time period – namely mid-September through to mid- March, Betelgeuse is visible to virtually everyone, all around the globe. While this red giant star can be seen during the summer, the darker nights of winter provide better viewing conditions for those wishing to observe it.
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