News Space Betelgeuse shrinks The red supergiant has lost 15 percent of its size By Ron Cowen June 10, 2009 at 5:11 pm - More than 2 years ago Share this:Share Share via email (Opens in new window) Email Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to print (Opens in new window) Print PASADENA, Calif. — Betelgeuse, one of the brightest stars visible to the naked eye, has shrunk in diameter by more than 15 percent since 1993. SHRINKING GIANT This ultraviolet image of the red supergiant star Betelgeuse was taken in 1996 with the Hubble Space Telescope.