Rigel trivia

Rigel Mini Quiz

Test your knowledge with these top questions!

Question 1

The blue supergiant Rigel marks what body part of the hunter in the constellation Orion?

The star's name actually derives from the Arabic phrase Rijl Jauzah al Yusrā, which translates directly to "left foot of the giant."

Question 2

Astronomers expect the massive star Rigel to end its life cycle by doing what?

With roughly 21 times the mass of our sun, Rigel is too large to quietly fade into a white dwarf and will inevitably collapse under its own gravity.

Question 3

The star Rigel glows with a brilliant blue color to indicate what physical trait?

In astronomy, blue stars burn significantly hotter than red or yellow ones. Rigel's surface temperature is about 21,000 degrees Fahrenheit, more than twice as hot as our sun.

Question 4

The star Rigel radiates most of its massive energy output in what invisible form?

Hotter stars emit shorter, more energetic wavelengths. Rigel is so hot that its peak energy output shifts past visible blue light into the invisible ultraviolet spectrum.