Betelgeuse is a massive red supergiant star located in the constellation Orion. It is one of the largest and brightest stars visible to the naked eye. The forces that prevent Betelgeuse from collapsing under its own gravity are a result of the balance between the inward pull of gravity and the outward forces generated by internal processes.
Gravity is constantly trying to compress the star inward due to its immense mass. However, several factors contribute to counteract this gravitational collapse:
Nuclear Fusion: In the core of Betelgeuse, nuclear fusion reactions occur. These reactions convert hydrogen into helium through a process known as stellar nucleosynthesis. The release of energy from these fusion reactions generates an outward pressure that counterbalances the gravitational force, preventing the star from collapsing. This balance between gravity and the energy produced by nuclear fusion is known as hydrostatic equilibrium.
Radiation Pressure: As a result of the nuclear fusion reactions, high-energy photons are released. These photons exert a pressure outward, known as radiation pressure. This pressure further contributes to supporting the star against gravitational collapse.
Electron Degeneracy Pressure: In the core of a massive star like Betelgeuse, there is an enormous number of electrons. Due to the principles of quantum mechanics, these electrons cannot occupy the same energy state, resulting in a phenomenon called electron degeneracy. This degeneracy pressure acts as another counterbalancing force against gravity, preventing further collapse.
It's important to note that despite these counteracting forces, massive stars like Betelgeuse will eventually exhaust their nuclear fuel and reach the end of their lives. When this happens, depending on the mass of the star, different fates are possible, including a supernova explosion or the formation of a stellar remnant such as a neutron star or black hole.