Astronomy

Astronomy? Find a galaxy of information here.

Upgrade to Britannica Online

Take a tour, New improved britannica online

Imagine Britannica's 32-volume encyclopedia online right there for you, plus full access to articles. Amazing content, written by world experts, that you can cite for projects and assignments.

Click here for Britannica shop

Betelgeuse

(from Arabic bat al-dshauza, “the giant's shoulder”) Brightest star in the constellation Orion, marking the hunter's eastern shoulder. About 430 light-years from Earth, Betelgeuse is easily identifiable by its brightness, its position in brilliant Orion, and its deep reddish colour. It is a red supergiant star, one of the largest known; its diameter is roughly 500 times that of the Sun.

Find more information on Betelgeuse. Upgrade to Britannica Online for more on Betelgeuse.

  • Get more
  • M?ss?ng more?

    Subscribers see 10 times more content. Just US $69.95 per year

  • Britannica, just as colourful as Hong Kong
  • Times may change, but insightful knowledge is still in demand. That's why Britannica brings a world of knowledge online, to Hong Kong. Have a look for yourself.