The Mystery of Betelgeuse's Rotation: Unraveling the Truth

A recent study using the Atacama Large Milimeter Array (ALMA) has shown that Betelgeuse, the well-known red giant star, is rotating faster than expected. While current theory predicts slower rotation speeds for red supergiants, observations have revealed faster rotation in some giant stars. The measurements of Betelgeuse's rotational velocity were compared to previous observations, suggesting a possible cause could be a merger with a low mass companion star. However, complications arise from potential false signals picked up from convective plasma at the star's surface. Higher resolution observations are needed to accurately measure the rotational speed of Betelgeuse and other red supergiants.