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A Journey to the End of Time

The Solar System in 3D, in real time

A simulation of the Solar System driven by real ephemerides. The Sun, the planets, Pluto and the major moons, space probes, the International Space Station, nearby stars and the black hole at the centre of the Milky Way are where they really are at the chosen moment. You can run time from 1700 to 2100, fly from one object to another and look at the sky from anywhere on Earth.

Rigel

Star

Facts

Distance
from about 860 to 1170 light-years, depending on the source
Spectral class
B8 Ia
Surface temperature
12,000 K
Mass
about 21 times the Sun
Apparent magnitude
0.12

Rigel is a blue supergiant of spectral class B8 Ia, at Orion's foot. At about 11,700 °C on its surface it is much hotter than reddish Betelgeuse; it has about 21 times the mass of the Sun and is only 8 million years old.

According to NASA APOD its diameter is about 74 times the Sun's, and in the Sun's place it would almost reach the orbit of Mercury; Przybilla and colleagues, in 2006, estimate it to be larger, about 109 times. It is part of a multiple system, with much fainter companions.

Sources