BETELGEUSE “THE STAR”

Betelgeuse is a first magnitude star that belongs to the Orion constellation, visible during spring and summer seasons (November thru April) on the southern hemisphere, shocking night skies allowing better orientation for crews at sea.

Known astronomically as Alfa Orionis and commonly called Betelgeuse, it's a red super giant star, 9900 time brighter than the sun of 0,57 magnitude; Located 427 light years from earth on the north east side of the constellation, her bright yellow/red light can be observed on dark nights.

It was the first star to be measure using the interferometer. In 1920 astronomers at the Wilson observatory determined that Betelgeuse diameter is 418 million kilometers, meaning 400 times as big as the sun.

Between the months of November and April Orion Constellation is easily located, one of the wonderful jewels of the sky, formed by really bright stars, two of them of first magnitude and four of second magnitude very easily located. Highlighted by Betelgeuse or Alfa Orionis 427 light years from us, a super giant 400 times bigger than the sun, Rigel o b of 03 magnitude, light blue in color at 1305 light years, Bellatrix of 1.7 brightness of white blue color at 326 light years and Salph of light blue color and magnitude of 2.2 at 1305 light years. On the middle of the rectangle we can see the known three Marys or Orions Belt formed by Mintaka, Alnilam y Alnitak all young blue stars located at 1305 light years away.