Astronomers have achieved a groundbreaking scientific feat by capturing the first close-up picture of a star outside our galaxy. They zoomed in on WOH G64, a giant red supergiant star located about 160,000 light-years from Earth in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The image shows the star surrounded by clouds and arcs of gas and dust that have been ejected as it approaches its final stages.
The star is estimated to be around 2,000 times larger than our sun and is currently undergoing a dramatic transformation. Scientists believe that WOH G64 will soon explode as a supernova, spewing new elements into space. However, before the explosion, the star may spend thousands of years erupting clouds of gas from its surface.
Using advanced telescopes in Chile and an interferometer called GRAVITY, scientists were able to achieve the resolution needed to capture this unique image. The discovery was made by a team led by astrophysicist Keiichi Ohnaka, who described it as “the first time we have succeeded in taking a zoomed-in image of a dying star in another galaxy.”
The team’s findings suggest that WOH G64 is nearing the end of its life and may soon become a blue supergiant, producing “smoke rings” as it prepares for its final explosion. Scientists will continue to monitor the star’s progress, providing valuable insights into the mysterious process of supernovae explosions.
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Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/21/science/behemoth-star-closeup-picture.html