For the first time, astronomers have captured a clear image of what is believed to be a companion star orbiting Betelgeuse, one of the brightest stars in the night sky. Using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), a team led by French researcher Miguel Montargès obtained the sharpest view yet of the object, designated Betelgeuse B. The discovery marks the end of a century-long search for a companion to the red supergiant. “This is the conclusion of a century-long quest,” Montargès said in a statement. Another team member described the moment as “among the best moments in science: seeing something new, unexpected.” The star, which is located in the constellation Orion, has long been suspected of having a companion due to periodic variations in its brightness. The new images provide the strongest evidence to date that Betelgeuse is not alone. The findings were made possible by the VLT’s advanced instruments, which can separate the light of the faint companion from the glare of Betelgeuse itself. Astronomers hope the discovery will help them better understand the evolution of massive stars and the role of binary systems in stellar life cycles. Further observations are planned to confirm the companion’s orbit and properties.