The most common known celestial bodies are stars, and they serve as essential components of galaxies. But how many of these shining objects are there? According to the studies conducted, up to 200 trillion trillion stars illuminate our universe. Our Milky Way has at least 100 billion stars and more than 100 billion galaxies in the universe. Sometimes, stars group together to form a specific shape in the sky that resembles objects on Earth. Called constellations, they are named after objects, animals and people, according to NASA.
NASA Astronomical Photo of the Day Today, is a snapshot of Rigel, a supergiant star that forms the left leg of the constellation Orion. Rigel is one of the 10 brightest stars in Earth’s sky and shines bluish-white, according to NASA. The supergiant star is estimated to be about 8 million years old, much larger and more massive than our Sun. Even though it’s 860 light years away EarthRigel is the brightest member of the constellation Orion.
The image was taken by astrophysicist Rheinhold Wittich.
NASA’s description of the painting
The brilliant, blue, supergiant star Rigel marks the footsteps of Hunter Orion in the night of planet Earth. Designated Beta Orionis, it lies at the center of this remarkably wide and deep field of view. Rigel’s blue color indicates that it is much hotter than its rival supergiant in Orion, the slightly yellow Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis), although both stars are massive enough to eventually end the series. their form as a core-collapsed supernova. About 860 light-years away, Rigel is hotter than Earth Sun so does and extends to about 74 solar radii. It’s about the size of Mercury’s orbit.
In a 10-degree wide frame towards the nebula-rich constellation, the Orion Nebula is in the upper left. To the right of Rigel and illuminated by its brilliant blue starlight is the dusty Witch’s Head Nebula. Rigel is part of a multiple star system, although its companion stars are much fainter.
