4 ms·
Also: "estimates of its mass are poorly constrained, but range from 5 to 30 times that of the Sun". Amazing for having on the order of 16 billion times its volu
by gunn 12y ago
Also: "estimates of its mass are poorly constrained, but range from 5 to 30 times that of the Sun". Amazing for having on the order of 16 billion times its volume.
- jjoonathan 12y agoHow does that happen? Is its fuel more energetic in some sense or does the gravity-vs-pressure equilibrium simply favor lower densities for a total mass of 20M☉?
- nate_meurer 12y agoYou're right on both counts! Betelgeuse is burning helium now (post main-sequence). The higher output of helium fusion inflates the outer atmosphere like a giant floppy balloon.