What Causes Betelgeuse to Appear Red and Rigel to Appear Blue?
Surface Temperature and Color of Stars
Stars emit different colors depending on their surface temperature. Surface temperature plays a crucial role in determining the color of a star. The color of a star is closely related to its surface temperature, with cooler stars appearing red and hotter stars appearing blue.
Understanding Betelgeuse and Rigel
Betelgeuse and Rigel are both massive stars with different surface temperatures. Betelgeuse, which appears red, has a lower surface temperature compared to Rigel, which appears blue. This temperature variation leads to the distinct colors observed in these stars. Betelgeuse is classified as a red supergiant star, while Rigel is classified as a blue supergiant star. Their spectral classes also contribute to their color differences.
Role of Spectral Class
Spectral class provides additional insights into a star's properties. The spectral class of a star offers information about its composition, size, and temperature. Betelgeuse and Rigel belong to different spectral classes, further accentuating their color variations. The combination of surface temperature and spectral class results in Betelgeuse appearing red and Rigel appearing blue.