Which star is specifically compared to Betelgeuse to demonstrate the most dramatic, easily observable contrast in stellar hues?
Answer
Rigel
To help observers solidify the rule that blue means hot and red means cool, a side-by-side comparison involving prominent stars in the constellation Orion is recommended. Rigel, which is identified as a blue-white giant, serves as the contrasting hot object. This star is explicitly compared against Betelgeuse, which is classified as a red supergiant, to provide the clearest and most dramatic visual representation of the temperature gradient visible in the sky.
Related Questions
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