Betelgeuse vs Mira
Four magnitudes and more separate the pair overhead, +0.45 for Betelgeuse and +6.47 for Mira. Corrected for distance, Betelgeuse outproduces Mira by some 711 times, absolute magnitudes −5.47 and +1.66. Mira is an M-type star, while Betelgeuse is an M-type star in Orion.
Property comparison
| Property | Betelgeuse | Mira |
|---|---|---|
| Ký Hiệu | 58Alp Ori | 68Omi Cet |
| Chòm Sao | Orion | N/A |
| Phân Loại Quang Phổ | Class M — M-type (Red) | Class M — M-type (Red) |
| Cấp Sao Biểu Kiến | +0.45 | +6.47 |
| Cấp Sao Tuyệt Đối | -5.47 | 1.66 |
| Khoảng Cách | 498 ly | 299 ly |
| Khối Lượng | N/A | N/A |
| Bán Kính | N/A | N/A |
| Nhiệt Độ | N/A | N/A |
| Độ Sáng | N/A | N/A |
Full data for each star: Betelgeuse · Mira
Key differences
Key Differences
- ◆ Both are famous variable red giants/supergiants of spectral type M, but at very different evolutionary stages.
- ◆ Mira is a low-mass AGB star on its final evolutionary phase before becoming a planetary nebula; Betelgeuse is a massive red supergiant heading for a supernova.
- ◆ Mira has a pulsation period of ~332 days with an enormous magnitude range; Betelgeuse shows semi-regular variability.
- ◆ Betelgeuse is vastly larger at ~887 R☉ versus Mira's ~332 R☉.
- ◆ Mira has a remarkable 13-light-year tail of shed material trailing behind it through the interstellar medium.