Does the Star Betelgeuse Have Any Planets?

Does the star Betelgeuse have any planets?

Check out this answer from Consensus:

Based on the provided research papers, there is no direct evidence or mention of planets orbiting Betelgeuse. The focus of the studies is primarily on the classification, distance, and characteristics of Betelgeuse as a red star. Further research would be required to determine the presence of any planetary bodies around Betelgeuse.

Betelgeuse, a prominent red supergiant star in the constellation Orion, has been a subject of fascination for astronomers due to its size, brightness, and variability. A common question that arises is whether Betelgeuse has any planets orbiting it.

Key Insights

• Distance and Classification of Betelgeuse:
  • There are discrepancies in the distance measurements to red giant stars, including Betelgeuse. Some studies suggest that Betelgeuse might be much closer than previously thought and could even be a dwarf star rather than a red supergiant 1.
• Characteristics of Red Stars:
  • Betelgeuse is classified as a red star, which typically has a relatively low surface temperature. Red stars, including red giants and red dwarfs, exhibit a variety of phenomena, but there is no specific mention of planetary systems around Betelgeuse in the reviewed literature 2.

Does the star Betelgeuse have any planets?

Yiannis Tsapras has answered Uncertain

An expert from Heidelberg University in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Physics, Cosmology

We don’t know if it has any planets. At least we haven’t yet been able to detect any. The physics of planet formation are the same for all stars and planets seem to be ubiquitous so it is not entirely unreasonable to expect that Betelgeuse might host some. That said, there are good reasons why any potential planets around it would probably not be friendly for life as we know it.