WOH G64 is a red supergiant or possibly a luminous blue variable (LBV) star located in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, approximately 163,000 light-years from Earth. It is one of the largest and most luminous stars known, making it an exceptional object of study in astrophysics.
Key Characteristics of WOH G64:
- Size:
WOH G64 is an enormous star, with a radius estimated to be about 1,540 times that of the Sun. This makes it one of the largest stars ever discovered, although estimates of its size vary depending on methods used. - Mass and Evolution:
The star likely began its life with a mass between 25-40 times that of the Sun but has lost a significant amount of its mass due to intense stellar winds and other processes. It is nearing the end of its life and will eventually explode as a supernova. - Location:
It is located in the constellation Dorado within the LMC, a region rich with star-forming nebulae and massive stars. - Circumstellar Environment:
Observations have revealed that WOH G64 is surrounded by a massive dusty torus (a donut-shaped structure of gas and dust), which obscures some of its light and complicates precise measurements of its properties. This dust was ejected from the star due to its strong winds. - Luminosity:
The star is incredibly luminous, with an output roughly 300,000 times that of the Sun. Its brightness and temperature suggest that it is nearing the end of its life.
Scientific Importance:
WOH G64 offers insight into the life cycles of massive stars, especially those in different environments outside our galaxy. Stars like WOH G64 help astronomers understand stellar evolution, mass loss processes, and the eventual fate of massive stars. Its environment in the LMC, which has a lower metallicity (fewer heavy elements) than the Milky Way, provides a comparison point for studying how such conditions influence stellar evolution.
Future:
WOH G64 is expected to end its life in a dramatic supernova explosion, potentially leaving behind a neutron star or black hole. However, the exact timeline for this event remains uncertain, as it could take tens of thousands of years.
