Astronomers have observed a significant transformation in WOH G64, one of the largest known stars, located about 163,000 light-years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud. This star is roughly 1,540 times larger and 282,000 times brighter than the Sun. Initially classified as a red supergiant, WOH G64 began changing color and increasing in temperature around 2014, leading researchers to classify it as a rare yellow supergiant—a potential precursor to a supernova that could result in a black hole.
Led by Gonzalo Muñoz Sánchez, the team noted that such transformations in stars are usually abrupt, yet WOH G64’s change has been smooth and gradual, providing new insights. As a young star of just 5 million years, its rapid fuel consumption contributes to its early demise. The transition from red to yellow supergiant is rare and possibly influenced by a strong stellar wind required to strip away outer layers.
Additionally, WOH G64 is part of a binary system, complicating the factors driving its evolution. This interaction could affect its outer envelope and consequent temperature changes. The implications of WOH G64’s transformation are significant for understanding the lifecycle of massive stars and their eventual supernovae, although whether it will explode as a supernova or collapse directly into a black hole remains uncertain.
The researchers highlight an ongoing need for further observation to uncover the mysteries surrounding WOH G64’s evolution and the role of its binary companion. Their findings were published in the journal Nature.
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