Left: An image of the star WOH G64 taken with the Very Large Telescope Interferometer in Chile. Right: An artist’s impression of the star
ESO/K. Ohnaka et al., L. Calçada
A group of astronomers has captured the first detailed image of a star in a different galaxy, located over 160,000 light years away. This giant star, called WOH G64, is possibly approaching the end of its life, a phase never observed up close before.
Among the largest stars known are red supergiants like WOH G64, which have consumed their hydrogen fuel and now burn a surrounding shell of hydrogen gas. This process causes these stars to expand significantly.
WOH G64, also known as the behemoth star, is between 1540 and 2575 times larger than our sun and exists in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a neighboring galaxy to the Milky Way. Astronomers have been interested in studying this star since its discovery in the 1970s.
A team led by Jacco van Loon from Keele University, UK, utilized the Very Large Telescope Interferometer in Chile to capture a close-up view of WOH G64. This detailed image revealed a luminous ball of gas and dust around the star, hinting at potential upcoming changes in the star’s lifecycle.
This remarkable achievement gives scientists new insights into the behavior of massive stars, providing valuable data for future research.
Topics: Astronomy, Stars, Red Supergiants
Vocabulary List:
- Astronomers /əˈstrɒn.ə.mərz/ (noun): Scientists who study celestial bodies and the universe.
- Supergiants /ˈsuː.pərˌdʒaɪ.əntz/ (noun): Extremely large stars that are more luminous than giants.
- Lifecycle /ˈlaɪfˌsaɪ.kəl/ (noun): The series of stages in the life of an organism or object.
- Captured /ˈkæp.tʃərd/ (verb): Taken or recorded especially in reference to images or observations.
- Luminous /ˈluː.mə.nəs/ (adjective): Emitting or reflecting light; shining.
- Expansion /ɪkˈspæn.ʃən/ (noun): The act of becoming larger or more extensive.
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