What is rigels mass

The two spectroscopic components Rigel Ba and Rigel Bb cannot be resolved in optical telescopes but are known to be hot stars of spectral type around B9.

This spectroscopic binary, together with the close visual component Rigel C, is likely a physical triple star system, although Rigel C cannot be detected in the spectrum which is inconsistent with its observed brightness. Rigel C is estimated to have around 3. The fourth companion of Rigel, named Rigel D is still disputed to be part of the system.

In , its separation from Rigel was Gaia DR2 finds it to be a 12th magnitude sun-like star at approximately the same distance as Rigel. Likely an orange dwarf, this star would have an orbital period of around , years, if it is part of the Rigel system.

Observations continue. It is part of the Orion constellation where another famous star resides, Betelgeuse.

Rigel will explode as a supernova in the far future. This explosion will make Rigel the second-brightest object in the night sky for several weeks. What will happen to Rigel afterward is up for debate. It will either become a neutron star or a black hole. Contrasting with the orange-red Betelgeuse, Rigel appears as blue-white to the naked eye.

Rigel is also a multiple star system — composed of at least four stars. Rigel is a massive blue supergiant with a luminosity of around The blue star is estimated to be around light-years away.

Its radius is around 70 times that of the Sun, with surface temperatures of Pulsations cause brightness variations, as such, Rigel is classified as an Alpha Cygni variable. Rigel, together with Betelgeuse, Bellatrix and Alnilam are the navigational stars of the Orion constellation. Rigel is commonly depicted as the foot of Orion. Rigel marks one of the vertices of the Winter Hexagon, a large asterism that dominates the evening sky during the northern hemisphere winter.

This star can be seen from all locations across Earth, with the exception of those within 8 degrees of the North Pole. Stellar flux refers to how much radiation energy a star emits. In general, the group found that stellar flux density is at a minimum at the outer surface of a star and at a maximum inside of the star. Due to its proximity, Rigel is also used as an example of how massive stars may evolve, as discussed in a review published by the European Astronomical Society , and a study published in the Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union.

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community space. Elizabeth Howell is a contributing writer for Space. She is the author or co-author of several books on space exploration. Elizabeth holds a Ph. She also holds a bachelor of journalism degree from Carleton University in Canada, where she began her space-writing career in Besides writing, Elizabeth teaches communications at the university and community college level, and for government training schools.

The Gaia Data Release 2 identified it as a sun-like star, likely an orange dwarf, of 12th magnitude, located at about the same distance as Rigel. If it is a member of the Rigel star system, its estimated orbital period would be about , years. Rigel is considered to be a member of the Taurus-Orion R1 Association, a loose group of stars that share a common origin and motion through space, located about 1, light years, or parsecs, from the solar system. Some sources classify the star as an outlying member of the Orion OB1 association, but since Rigel is much closer to us than the stars in the Orion OB1 group, lying at a similar distance as Betelgeuse and Saiph , its membership is unlikely.

In images of the Orion constellation , Rigel is commonly depicted as the foot of Orion. Like many other exceptionally bright stars, Rigel had cultural and historic significance in many countries around the world.

In Japan, it was chosen to represent the Genji clan, one of the four major clans during the Heian period The rivalling Taira clan chose Betelgeuse and its red colour as their symbol. In the myth, Orwandil, the Giant, was frostbitten and Thor broke off his frozen toe and threw it into the sky. In Caribbean lore, Rigel marked the severed leg of Trois Rois, a man who loved the daughter of a woman who disliked him. As the lovers took flight, the mother ran after them and managed to cut off one of his legs.

Notable uses of the star in literature include M. Jauzah was the Arabic name for the constellation Orion, representing a female figure whose identity is uncertain. The name dates back to the 10th century. The earliest known written mention of it is in the Alfonsine Tables of Even though the name formally applies only to the brightest component, it is commonly used for the entire star system and its individual components. Rigel has been known by many different names across different cultures.

It represented the mother-in-law of Totyerguil, marked by Altair. The distance between the two stars symbolized the taboo of a man approaching his mother-in-law. The Boorong people of Victoria called the star Collowgullouric Warepil , while the Wardaman people of the Northern Territory knew it as the Red Kangaroo Leader Unumburrgu , who led ceremonies when the constellation was high in the sky. The other bright stars of Orion represented his tools and followers. Rigel is easy to find because it is part of one of the most recognizable constellations in the sky.

Rigel marks one of the vertices of the Winter Hexagon or Winter Circle , a large asterism that dominates the evening sky during the northern hemisphere winter. Rigel is located in the vicinity of several notable deep sky objects. The nearest one is the Witch Head Nebula IC , a faint reflection nebula illuminated by Rigel, located in the region between Rigel and Cursa, in the neighbouring constellation Eridanus.

Rigel can be seen from all locations on Earth except those within 8 degrees of the North Pole. It is at its highest point in the sky at midnight on December 12 and at 9 pm on January The best time of year to see Rigel and other stars in Orion is during the month of January, when the constellation is prominent in the evening sky.

From northern locations, Rigel is visible from late summer to early spring at some point in the night. As the name implies, this reflection nebula associated with the star Rigel looks suspiciously like a fairytale crone. Formally known as IC in the constellation Orion, the Witch Head Nebula glows primarily by light reflected from the star. The color of this very blue nebula is caused not only by blue color of its star, but also because the dust grains reflect blue light more efficiently than red.

Rigel is located in the constellation Orion , the Hunter. Named after the Greek mythical hunter, Orion is one of the most conspicuous constellations in the sky. Orion dominates the evening sky from January to March.