Astronomers have resolved a century-long mystery surrounding Betelgeuse, confirming through direct imaging that the famous red supergiant star is not alone. Unveiling the Companion StarLocated roughly 500 to 600 light-years from Earth, Betelgeuse is a massive red supergiant in the constellation Orion. While Betelgeuse shines roughly 100,000 times brighter than the sun, its companion possesses a luminosity up to 92 times solar levels. A Century-Long Quest RealizedScientists first hypothesized that Betelgeuse might have a companion roughly 100 years ago, primarily to help explain its fluctuating brightness. Implications for Betelgeuse's Supernova TimelineAs a massive star, Betelgeuse is living a comparatively brief cosmic lifespan.