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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