Betelgeuse (the bright star in the shoulder of the constellation Orion) has a surface temperature of 3500 K and a luminosity 100,000 times that of the Sun. What is its approximate radius in terms of that of the Sun? (See Figure 17-15.(in the text))

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Betelgeuse's luminosity and temperature can be used with the Stefan-Boltzmann law to find its radius. Given its high luminosity and lower temperature compared to the Sun, Betelgeuse must have a much larger radius, approximately 1000 times that of the Sun.

Betelgeuse (The Bright Star in the Shoulder of the Constellation