Properties thumb|right|upright=1.0|The disc and atmosphere of Betelgeuse (ESO) Supergiants have masses from 8 to 12 times the Sun () upwards, and luminosities from about 1,000 to over a million times the Sun (). They vary greatly in radius, usually from 30 to 500, or even in excess of 1,000 solar radii (). They are massive enough to begin helium-core burning gently before the core becomes degenerate, without a flash and without the strong dredge-ups that lower-mass stars experience. They go on to successively ignite heavier elements, usually all the way to iron. Also because of their high masses, they are destined to explode as supernovae.
properties thumb|right|upright=10|the disc and atmosphere of betelgeuse (eso) supergiants have masses from 8 to 12 times the sun () upwards and luminosities from about 1000 to over a million times the sun () they vary greatly in radius usually from 30 to 500 or even in excess of 1000 solar radii () they are massive enough to begin helium-core burning gently before the core becomes degenerate without a flash and without the strong dredge-ups that lower-mass stars experience they go on to successively ignite heavier elements usually all the way to iron also because of their high masses they are destined to explode as supernovae