Sky science
Red Supergiant
Direct answer
Red Supergiant: A Red Supergiant is a very massive evolved star with an enormous cool photosphere and extreme luminosity.
It is a late expansive phase of a high-mass star.
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At a glance
- Found in
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Related
- Protostar, Red Giant, White Dwarf, Brown Dwarf
It is a late expansive phase of a high-mass star.
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The story behind Red Supergiant
Spectroscopy and stellar populations separated supergiant luminosity classes from ordinary giants.
A one-minute story
The Wandering Stars
How the moving planets were watched, named and found, and what a transit is.
Why Red Supergiant matters
Red Supergiant precedes advanced nuclear burning and often eventual core-collapse supernova.
Red Supergiant in practice: an example
Betelgeuse is a nearby red supergiant with a vast variable atmosphere.
Sources and editorial method
Research references used for this entry include:
- NASA Science: Stars - NASA overview of stellar birth, main-sequence evolution, giant phases, remnants, and supernovae.
- NASA Science: Universe Glossary - NASA definitions for common stellar, galactic, orbital, and high-energy astronomy terms.
- Source
- The Great Almanac Dictionary
- Category
- Astronomy & Skywatching
- Last updated
- 2026-09-26
Compare giants and supergiants
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More in Astronomy & Skywatching
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Common questions
What is a Red Supergiant?
A Red Supergiant is a very massive evolved star with an enormous cool photosphere and extreme luminosity.
What do people get wrong about a Red Supergiant?
Large radius does not mean low mass or a stable future.
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