Supergiant star Betelgeuse 25% closer than first thought: Study

An Australian National University researcher-led study has said that the giant red star Betelgeuse is smaller and 25% closer to Earth than previously thought.

Drops in the brightness of Betelgeuse have been observed since late 2019 which prompted speculation that it could be about to explode. However, it may be another 1 lakh years until Betelgeuse dies, the study said.

The researchers were able to use hydrodynamic and seismic modelling to learn more about the physics driving these pulsations, and get a clearer idea of what phase of its life Betelgeuse is in. The study has been published in The Astrophysical Journal.