Meet Betelbuddy: Betelgeuse’s Shiny Sidekick

Astrophysicists are shaking up stellar lore with the potential discovery of 'Betelbuddy,' a companion star to the bright red giant Betelgeuse in Orion. This cosmic BFF, possibly twice the Sun’s mass, might be the reason behind Betelgeuse’s quirky brightness swings by clearing away dust as it orbits.

Scheduled observations around December 6 aim to confirm Betelbuddy’s existence, offering fresh insights as Betelgeuse marches toward its dramatic supernova finale. Kudos to the Flatiron Institute, University of Wyoming, and Hungary’s Konkoly Observatory for this stellar collaboration!