Betelgeuse is known for being which of the following types of stars?

Betelgeuse is classified as a red supergiant star, which is characterized by its large size and distinctive reddish hue. This classification is significant because red supergiants represent a late stage in the evolution of massive stars. These stars have expanded and cooled after exhausting the hydrogen in their cores, causing them to emit light primarily in the red part of the spectrum.

The classification as a red supergiant also highlights Betelgeuse's immense size, as it is one of the largest known stars in terms of volume. If placed in the center of our solar system, it would extend beyond the orbit of Mars. The star's advanced age and phase in stellar evolution contribute to its specific spectral classification and the characteristics we observe.

In contrast, blue supergiants are a different class of massive stars that burn hotter and are typically more luminous than red supergiants. White dwarfs are the remnants of stars that have exhausted their nuclear fuel and typically have much smaller sizes. Yellow giants represent stars that are in a different phase of their lifecycle than Betelgeuse. Understanding these classifications helps astronomers gauge the life cycle and evolutionary stages of different stars in the universe.