Betelgeuse Is A Cosmic Infrared Powerhouse

While it appears as a dimming red dot to our eyes, Betelgeuse is actually the brightest star in the entire night sky when viewed through infrared light. Its massive size makes it a glowing beacon beyond human vision.

This massive red supergiant behaves very differently depending on how you observe it. Because it is so cool, it emits most of its energy as invisible heat radiation rather than visible light. This star is so enormous that if you placed it at the center of our solar system, its surface would swallow everything out past Mars. It is currently nearing the end of its life and is destined to explode in a brilliant supernova that could be visible even during the daytime.