NOIR Lab - A Stellar Companion for Betelgeuse

Astronomers have discovered a companion star in an incredibly
tight orbit around Betelgeuse using the NASA and U.S. National
Science Foundation-funded ‘Alopeke instrument on Gemini North,
one half of the International Gemini Observatory, partly funded
by the NSF and operated by NSF NOIRLab. In this podcast,
Dr. Steve Howell describes the possible
discovery of this long sought after companion and future
observations research into this type of star system. 


 


Bios: 


- Rob Sparks is in the Communications, Education and Engagement
group at NSF’s NOIRLab in Tucson, Arizona.


- Dr. Howell has spent over 40 years as a professional
astronomer. During that time, he developed digital (CCD) imaging
instrumentation and data reduction techniques space and
ground-based telescopes, performed research in a wide variety of
astronomical areas and collaborated with hundreds of astronomers
world-wide. His areas of expertise are instrumentation,
interacting binaries, stellar evolution, and exoplanets. Howell’s
professional work has providing community service to the field of
astronomy as well as formal and informal STEM education.


Links:


NOIRLab Press Release:
https://noirlab.edu/public/news/noirlab2523/


https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/adeaaf


https://www.nasa.gov/science-research/astrophysics/nasa-scientist-finds-predicted-companion-star-to-betelgeuse/


https://noirlab.edu/public/news/noirlab2523/


https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/science/betelgeuse-star-companion.html


NOIRLab social media channels can be found at:


https://www.facebook.com/NOIRLabAstro


https://twitter.com/NOIRLabAstro


https://www.instagram.com/noirlabastro/


https://www.youtube.com/noirlabastro


 


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