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Beta Stars Trivia Quiz

Alpha stars think they are the best but beta stars can be cool too. Answer these questions about the second rated stars in their constellations.

A multiple-choice quiz by theskink. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
theskink

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
328,626

Updated
Jan 11 24

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
285

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Alpha Orionis to be Betelgeuse. It is huge and red. Did you know that Betelgeuse isn't the brightest star in Orion though? What is the brightest star, also known as Beta Orionis? Hint

Saiph

Vega

Bellatrix

Rigel

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Question 2 of 10

2. One of the best known variable stars is this beta star in Perseus. It is also known as the Demon Star. What is Beta Persei? Hint

Algenib

Algol

Mirfak

Spica

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Question 3 of 10

3. This is the brightest beta star after Rigel in the night sky. It is found in Centaurus. What is the name of Beta Centauri? Hint

Proxima Centaurus

Tolimen

Hadar

Rigil Kentaurus

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Question 4 of 10

4. The two twins that make up Gemini are the alpha and beta stars. The beta star, however, is actually the brightest. Which one of the twins is the beta star? Hint

Achernar

Castor

Pollux

Procyon

5. Alpha and Beta Ursae Majoris are both fairly bright and were very helpful for finding direction in ancient times. It is possible to make a line from these stars to the north star, Polaris. The alpha star is named Dubhe, but what is beta's name? Hint

Phecda

Alkaid

Mizar

Merak

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Question 6 of 10

6. One of the brightest stars in the Southern Hemisphere, along with its alpha star Acrux, is Beta Crucis. What is the more common name of the beta star of the constellation Crux? Hint

Mimosa

Adara

Canopus

Wezen

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Question 7 of 10

7. Another case of the beta star being brighter than the alpha star is found in Cetus. What is the brightest star in Cetus? Hint

Mira

Fomalhaut

Deneb Kaitos

Menkar

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Question 8 of 10

8. The beta star in the constellation Ophiuchus is not in itself very important but it can be used to find another extremely important star. This star is found right next to Beta Ophiuchi. Its main claim to fame comes from the fact that it is the closest star to our solar system after the Alpha Centauri stars. What is this star? Hint

Lalande

Rukbat

Ras Alhague

Barnard's Star

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Question 9 of 10

9. Another interesting star is Beta Tauri. This star is actually Gamma Aurigae as well. It is found at the boundary of the two constellations and is therefore considered part of both. What is its common name? Hint

Scheat

El Nath

Arcturus

Capella

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Question 10 of 10

10. Another famous beta star is Beta Leonis. Its name translates to the "tail of the lion." It is also one of the closest major stars to Earth. What is the beta star of Leo? Hint

Regulus

Denebola

Murzim

Hamal

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Alpha Orionis to be Betelgeuse. It is huge and red. Did you know that Betelgeuse isn't the brightest star in Orion though? What is the brightest star, also known as Beta Orionis?

Answer: Rigel

Betelgeuse is a huge red supergiant but Rigel is actually a blue supergiant. It is much brighter in absolute magnitude and a bit brighter in apparent magnitude. Rigel is considered the left foot or ankle of Orion and Betelgeuse is the right shoulder. The other two are also quite bright. Bellatrix is the left shoulder and Saiph is the right foot.

2. One of the best known variable stars is this beta star in Perseus. It is also known as the Demon Star. What is Beta Persei?

Answer: Algol

Algol gets its name from the fact that it is a triple star variable. It changes brightness quite often and drastically making it appear like a "ghoul" or "demon." It actually has a type of variable named after it as well. Mirfak is in fact the alpha star and the brightest in Perseus.

3. This is the brightest beta star after Rigel in the night sky. It is found in Centaurus. What is the name of Beta Centauri?

Answer: Hadar

The other three names refer to the binary alpha star. Hadar, also known as Agena, is the tenth brightest star in the night sky. It is a blue-white giant.

4. The two twins that make up Gemini are the alpha and beta stars. The beta star, however, is actually the brightest. Which one of the twins is the beta star?

Answer: Pollux

Castor and Pollux (Polydeuces) are two famous twins from Greek mythology. In the stars they are the two top stars of the constellation Gemini. Pollux is on the right and Castor is on the left. Castor is actually a well known double star.

Answer: Merak

These two stars are on the far side of the Big Dipper or in the middle of the bear. All stars in this asterism are very easy to find and therefore much easier for finding north than simply trying to find Ursa Minor or the Little Dipper.

6. One of the brightest stars in the Southern Hemisphere, along with its alpha star Acrux, is Beta Crucis. What is the more common name of the beta star of the constellation Crux?

Answer: Mimosa

It is also simply called Becrux. It is thought to be the hottest of all first magnitude stars.

7. Another case of the beta star being brighter than the alpha star is found in Cetus. What is the brightest star in Cetus?

Answer: Deneb Kaitos

Deneb Kaitos is the tail of the whale. Mira is actually Omicron Ceti and is a very famous variable star. Menkar is the alpha star which is dying.

Answer: Barnard's Star

Some of its other claims to fame include being very close to the celestial equator, findings of extrasolar planets, and research on solar flares.

Answer: El Nath

This is not the only occurrence of a star being in two constellations. The star Alpheratz is both Alpha Andromedae and Delta Pegasi.

10. Another famous beta star is Beta Leonis. Its name translates to the "tail of the lion." It is also one of the closest major stars to Earth. What is the beta star of Leo?

Answer: Denebola

Denebola is found at the end of Leo, opposite of the Sickle asterism. It is actually a variable star that changes brightness very fast, about every few hours, but the change is not very significant.

Source: Author theskink

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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