First Star Outside Milky Way Captured: WOH G64 is 2,000 Times Larger Than the Sun

Highlights

Astronomers capture the first detailed image of WOH G64, a star 2,000 times bigger than the Sun, as it nears its supernova stage, 160,000 light-years away.

The first detailed image of a star outside the Milky Way has been taken by scientists in a historic astronomy breakthrough. WOH G64, an intergalactic star, offers a unique perspective of a big star approaching the conclusion of its existence. One of the largest stars ever discovered, WOH G64 is a red supergiant star 2,000 times bigger than the Sun, situated in the Milky Way's satellite galaxy, the Large Magellanic Cloud, an astounding 160,000 light-years away.

The Behemoth Star (WOH G64)

Keiichi Ohnaka of Universidad Andres Bello in Chile led a team that obtained the first intergalactic star image using the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI). Known as the "behemoth star," WOH G64 is nearing the end of its life cycle. As the star approaches its impending supernova explosion, the images reveal it ejecting gas and dust.

An Unexpected Aspect: The Egg-Shaped Cocoon

An egg-shaped cocoon of gas and dust encircling the star was one of the most unexpected findings. Scientists are interested in this unusual phenomenon, which they believe may be caused by an unidentified partner star or connected to the star's massive material ejection. This finding creates fresh avenues for comprehending the intricate behavior of fading stars.

A star that is 2,000 times larger than the sun

One of the biggest stars in the cosmos, WOH G64 is categorized as a red supergiant. Its size, almost 2,000 times that of the Sun, puts existing theories of stellar development to the test and offers important new information on the life cycle of big stars. Astronomers have been keeping an eye on this Milky Way star discovery for almost 20 years, and they were excited to see this unique stage in its development.

The Stellar Evolution and the Dimming Phenomenon

The star's notable dimming during the last ten years, which indicates that WOH G64 is losing its outer layers, was a crucial finding. For red supergiants nearing the end of their lives, this phenomenon is normal. A unique chance to monitor the dynamic changes of a huge star in real-time—something that has never been seen in such detail before—is offered by the space science star capture. Scientists are learning more about the dynamics of a star's transformation from a supergiant to a supernova thanks to this astronomical research outside the Milky Way.

Difficulties in Reaching the Farthest Star

Even with cutting-edge devices like the VLTI, it will get harder to get detailed photos of WOH G64 as it continues to degrade. Given the star's enormous size and fading phenomenon, this is an exciting but brief period for space exploration star discovery. The death of the star will yield important information about the life cycles and final explosions of Milky Way vs intergalactic stars.

Gravity's Contribution to the Discovery

At the VLTI, GRAVITY, a second-generation instrument, enabled the detailed image of WOH G64. By combining light from four different telescopes, GRAVITY enables astronomers to observe far-off stars with previously unheard-of clarity. With the use of this cutting-edge technology, astronomers may now better comprehend stellar evolution and obtain additional data about stars in other galaxies through the study of intergalactic star size comparison.

The Capture of the First Intergalactic Star

Being the first star outside the Milky Way to be photographed in such detail, WOH G64's image represents a significant accomplishment in space exploration. This discovery will continue to impact astronomical research outside the Milky Way for years to come and will be used as a benchmark for future research on big stars in other galaxies.

Apart from its enormous size, the star's development will be a crucial case study in the demise of huge stars. As WOH G64 draws to a close, it is giving astronomers a unique chance to study star processes far beyond our own galaxy, deep in intergalactic space.

WOH G64 has the potential to completely change our knowledge of space science star capture and the life cycle of the most massive stars ever found if more research is done.