Maybe better in Mbr Discussions, but I think good too in Science.

How far is this star or that star? Google it for the answer, right? Well, not always. Check this out:
How far is Betelgeuse?

I have spoken to Mr. Cannon (the webpage author) on a couple of occasions. Great guy. Great webpage too.

Good point : do not accept all data found on the Internet as scientific proved fact.
Always go to real scientific sites for proper references. Like university sites.
.
By the way : Betelgeuse is a special case, because of it's status as superstar at the brink of a final collapse to neutron star or - even more likely - to a black hole. It's "current" luminosity is influenced by dust and dirt on - and pulsations of - the surface, making it impossible to provide a proper distance calculation.
Actually for those who like to know : Betelgeuse is between 420 and 470 light years away.
If we are lucky we may see it blow up as super-nova within our lifetime!
;)