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New Star Discovered Orbiting Betelgeuse, Explains Brightness Fluctuations

1/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Astronomers confirm a companion star, Siwarha, orbiting Betelgeuse about 650 light-years from Earth.
Using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based observatories, researchers detect a dense gas wake from Siwarha affecting Betelgeuse's outer atmosphere.
The discovery explains Betelgeuse's unusual brightness variations, including a 2,100-day cycle.
The findings were presented at the American Astronomical Society meeting and will be published in The Astrophysical Journal; Andrea Dupree is the lead study author.

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Story summary

Astronomers confirm a companion star, Siwarha, orbiting Betelgeuse about 650 light-years from Earth.
Using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and ground-based observatories, researchers detect a dense gas wake from Siwarha affecting Betelgeuse's outer atmosphere.
The discovery explains Betelgeuse's unusual brightness variations, including a 2,100-day cycle.
The findings were presented at the American Astronomical Society meeting and will be published in The Astrophysical Journal; Andrea Dupree is the lead study author.