June 30, 2017

Betelgeuse seen by ALMA (Image ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/E. O’Gorman/P. Kervella)

An article published in the journal “Astronomy & Astrophysics” describes a study of the star Betelgeuse conducted using the ALMA radio telescope. This extraordinary instrument studied for the first time the surface of a star to get the highest resolution images ever obtained of Betelgeuse. This made it possible to obtain new data about its atmosphere and its asymmetries that will help to better understand red supergiants in the phases preceding a supernova.