Is Betelgeuse About to Explode? 10 Wild Facts You Should Know

It’s big, it’s bright, and it’s a little unstable. Betelgeuse, the red supergiant star in the constellation Orion, has been acting… weird. It’s dimmed, it’s flickered, and some astronomers think it might explode. Like, supernova explode.

But how close are we to witnessing one of the most spectacular cosmic events of our lifetime? And what would it mean for Earth?

Here are 10 wild, fascinating facts about Betelgeuse — and what makes it one of the most talked-about stars in the night sky.

Jump to:

• 1. Will Betelgeuse Explode Soon?
• 2. Can a Supernova from Betelgeuse Harm Earth?
• 3. How Big is Betelgeuse Compared to the Sun?
• 4. How Far is Betelgeuse from Earth?
• 5. Why is Betelgeuse Flickering or Dimming?
• 6. How to Find Betelgeuse in the Night Sky?
• 7. How to Photograph Betelgeuse (Before It Explodes)?
• 8. What Does the Name Betelgeuse Mean?
• 9. Will We See Betelgeuse Go Supernova?
• 10. Can Betelgeuse Kill Us?
• Final Thoughts – The Star is Still Burning (For Now)
• FAQ
• Who Discovered Betelgeuse?
• Which Galaxy is Betelgeuse in?
• 💬 Comments

1. Will Betelgeuse Explode Soon?

Let’s get to the big one.

Yes — Betelgeuse will explode.

But “soon” in astronomy could mean tomorrow, or in 100,000 years.

Astronomers agree the star is at the end of its life cycle. It’s running low on fuel, its core is unstable, and when the time comes, it’ll go supernova — shining brighter than the full Moon for weeks.

But is that going to happen in our lifetime?

Probably not.

There is no real consensus between astronomers. Some say that the star could explode years ago, but the light hasn't come to Earth yet; some say that our red supergiant star will explode very soon, during our lifetime; and, in the end, some say that the star has a long life ahead of his. So - nobody knows for sure. We have to deal with it.

Some early excitement in 2019–2020 (when Betelgeuse dimmed dramatically) led to speculation, but follow-up studies show the star still has time left. The dimming was likely caused by dust, not death.

Here's what the researchers at Kavli IPMU have to say:

Betelgeuse is not at all close to exploding, and that it is too far from Earth for the eventual explosion to have significant impact here, even though it is still a really big deal when a supernova goes off.

Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IPMU)

Yes, Betelgeuse will explode, but it might as well be tomorrow or in a hundred thousand years as well. The chances of seeing a new supernova in our lifetime are rather slim.

TL;DR: Yes, it’ll explode. Probably not soon. But if it does… we’ll notice.

2. Can a Supernova from Betelgeuse Harm Earth?

Good news: No, it can’t.

Betelgeuse is about 642.5 light-years away — safely beyond the “danger zone” for supernova radiation, which is roughly 50 light-years.

Even when it explodes, the X-rays and gamma rays will spread out over vast distances and won’t be concentrated enough to damage Earth’s atmosphere, ozone layer, or life.

Here’s what NASA says:

Any planet with life on it near a star that goes supernova would indeed experience problems. X- and gamma-ray radiation from the supernova could damage the ozone layer, which protects us from harmful ultraviolet light in the sun's rays. The less ozone there is, the more UV light reaches the surface. At some wavelengths, just a 10 percent increase in ground-level UV can be lethal to some organisms, including phytoplankton near the ocean surface. Because these organisms form the basis of oxygen production on Earth and the marine food chain, any significant disruption to them could cascade into a planet-wide problem.

NASA

It sounds dangerous. However, there is hope!

Betelgeuse is 642.5 light-years from Earth. According to NASA, only planets that are less than 50 light-years from the source of the blast (over 12 times our distance from the star) have a problem with a supernova.

Given the vastness of space and the long times between supernovae, astronomers can say with certainty that there is no threatening star close enough to hurt Earth.

NASA

Although the red supergiant is one of the closest stars for a candidate to the future Near-Earth supernova, it will probably not kill us, simply because the distance from it to the Earth is too great. Earth will probably not be destroyed or even affected at all.

So… no extinction events. No fried satellites. Just a really bright star show.

3. How Big is Betelgeuse Compared to the Sun?

Short answer: It’s not even close. Betelgeuse is HUGE.

If you replaced the Sun with Betelgeuse, it would stretch past the orbit of Jupiter. Let that sink in.

Here’s a size comparison:

Property	Betelgeuse	Sun
Type	Red Supergiant	G-type main-sequence
Mass	~10–20× solar mass	1× solar mass
Radius	~887× solar radius	1× solar radius
Age	~ 8.5 million years	~ 4.6 billion years
Spectral type	M1–M2 Ia–ab	G2V
Surface Temperature	~3,500 K	~5,778 K
Distance from Earth	642,5 light-years	8,5 light-minutes

Betelgeuse is younger than the Sun (by a lot!) but evolved faster because it’s more massive — and massive stars burn out quicker.

4. How Far is Betelgeuse from Earth?

Betelgeuse is approximately 642.5 light-years away from us.

To put that into perspective:

• The Moon is 1.3 light seconds away.
• The Sun is 8.3 light minutes away.
• Proxima Centauri, the closest star, is 4.2 light years away.
• Betelgeuse? Over 150× farther than that.

Despite being so far, it’s still one of the brightest stars in our sky — because it’s so massive and luminous.

Fun fact: If Betelgeuse did already explode, the light might still be on its way. We’d only find out centuries later.

The farthest distance that humanity has reached from Earth (and not even with living passengers on board, but as a machine built by us) is about 21 light hours (as of 2022) - this was achieved by the Voyager 1 probe launched in 1977.

As you can see, the distance between Earth and our title star is quite impressive.

5. Why is Betelgeuse Flickering or Dimming?

You’re not imagining it — Betelgeuse really does change brightness.

It’s what astronomers call a variable star. That means its brightness isn’t constant — it pulses over time as the star “breathes.” Literally. Its outer layers expand and contract, which affects how much light reaches us.

In 2019–2020, Betelgeuse dimmed more than ever before, sparking supernova rumors. But it turned out to be a giant dust cloud blocking some of its light — basically, a cosmic sneeze.

Here's what Universe Today says:

Updated observations of Betelgeuse’s regular pulses allowed researchers to confirm that the primary cause of variability is something called the “Kappa Mechanism” which destabilizes the star’s equilibrium essentially causing Betelgeuse to “breath” as it swells and shrinks in size and brightness.

Matthew Cimone, Universe Today

The star is still alive and pulsing — just doing what red supergiants do best: being dramatic.

6. How to Find Betelgeuse in the Night Sky?

Betelgeuse is part of the Orion constellation, one of the easiest constellations to find — especially in winter (Northern Hemisphere).

Here’s how to spot it:

1. Look for Orion’s Belt — three bright stars in a row (Alnitak, Alnilam, Mintaka).
2. Above the Belt, look for a big orange star — that’s Betelgeuse.
3. Below the Belt, the bright blue-white star is Rigel, Orion’s other famous star.

No telescope needed — you can see Betelgeuse with the naked eye, even from most cities. For best results, try on a clear winter evening.

7. How to Photograph Betelgeuse (Before It Explodes)?

Good news: you don’t need fancy gear to photograph Betelgeuse.

It’s one of the brightest stars in the night sky, and that makes it a great target for beginners — even with a smartphone or DSLR.

Basic Setup

• Tripod (a must)
• DSLR or mirrorless camera
• Telephoto lens (50–200mm works fine)
• Dark skies (optional, but helpful)

Settings to Try

• Aperture: f/2.8 or wider
• ISO: 1600–6400
• Exposure: 2–5 seconds (to avoid star trails)

If you want to go next-level, try stacking multiple frames using software like DeepSkyStacker or PixInsight.

Pro tip: Even a single 5-second exposure can show Betelgeuse glowing orange above Orion’s Belt. Add context (like trees or a skyline), and you’ve got a stunning astro-landscape.

8. What Does the Name Betelgeuse Mean?

The name “Betelgeuse” has Arabic roots — but like many ancient star names, it got mangled a bit through history.

It likely comes from the Arabic “Yad al-Jawzaʾ”, meaning “Hand of Orion” (Al-Jawzaʾ was a name for Orion).

Somewhere along the way:

• “Yad” (hand) became “Bed” or “Bat”
• Then medieval Latin scribes turned it into “Betel”
• And voilà: Betelgeuse

You can pronounce it however you want — even “Beetlejuice” like the movie. Astronomers won’t judge. (Okay, maybe a little.)

9. Will We See Betelgeuse Go Supernova?

If it explodes during our lifetime — absolutely yes.

A Betelgeuse supernova would be:

• Visible in daylight
• Brighter than the full Moon at night
• Lasting for weeks, maybe months

You wouldn’t need a telescope. You wouldn’t even need to look up — it would be unmissable.

Some simulations suggest it could cast shadows at night, and possibly be the brightest star-like object we’ll ever see.

But again: no one knows when it will happen. Could be tonight. Could be 100,000 years from now.

Until then, it remains the ultimate celestial cliffhanger.

10. Can Betelgeuse Kill Us?

Let’s end with the dramatic question everyone asks.

No, Betelgeuse will not kill us.

Even if it explodes in a spectacular supernova, it’s just too far away — over 640 light-years — to cause any real harm.

NASA confirms that only supernovae within 50 light-years pose a threat to Earth’s biosphere. Betelgeuse is more than 12× farther.

So no gamma-ray bursts, no ozone damage, no apocalypse.

What you will get is a once-in-a-lifetime celestial light show — and a great excuse to stay up all night with binoculars and a hot drink.

TL;DR: Betelgeuse is a drama queen, not a death star.

Final Thoughts – The Star is Still Burning (For Now)

Whether it explodes tomorrow or in the next 100,000 years, Betelgeuse is already an incredible star — and a favorite for astronomers, photographers, and skywatchers alike.

I’ve personally watched it countless times through binoculars, wide-angle lenses, and frosty breath on winter nights. It’s one of those stars that pulls you in — not because it’s perfect, but because it’s unpredictable.

Keep watching it. Photograph it. Talk about it.

Because when it finally does explode… you’ll want to say,

“I knew that star before it went supernova.”

Clear skies,
Paweł
Astro Photons

FAQ

Who Discovered Betelgeuse?

This star was already known and observed in ancient times (knowledge about Betelgeuse was passed down in tales between Aborigines, and in the written texts, it was already discussed by Ptolemy), so it is hardly impossible to identify the first person who saw it.

The Englishman John Herschel, who in 1836 published his observations on its differences in brightness in the Outlines of Astronomy, is considered a modern discoverer and first researcher.

Which Galaxy is Betelgeuse in?

Is it in Andromeda? In Pinwheel? Or maybe in Whirlpool?

We don't have to look that far because Betelgeuse is in our galaxy - the Milky Way. This star lies in the Orion Arm (the spiral arm of the Milky Way) - in the same region as our solar system and the Earth.