Recently, scientists have made a surprising discovery about WOH G64, one of the universe’s largest stars. Initially thought to be on the brink of a supernova explosion, new research suggests this enormous star isn’t about to blow up anytime soon. Instead, it appears to be slowly losing material to a smaller companion star hidden nearby.
Located about 163,000 light-years from Earth in the Large Magellanic Cloud, WOH G64 is a red supergiant. It’s roughly 1,500 times the diameter of our Sun and shines up to 282,000 times brighter. Over the last few years, it has become dimmer, leading many to believe it was evolving into a yellow hypergiant, a state often seen before supernova events.
In November 2024, researchers captured a detailed image of WOH G64 with the Very Large Telescope in Chile. They spotted an “egg-shaped cocoon” of gas and dust around the star, which initially supported the idea of it transitioning into a yellow hypergiant.
However, a recent study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society has challenged that notion. Using data from the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), researchers found signs that WOH G64 is still very much a red supergiant. They discovered titanium oxide, usually found only in red supergiants, in its atmosphere. This finding suggests it might not be changing states after all.
Jacco van Loon, an astrophysicist involved in the study, described it as witnessing a “phoenix” rising from the ashes. He explained that while WOH G64 is giving off strange signals, the presence of a smaller blue star nearby is likely influencing its behavior. This smaller star is thought to be siphoning off gases from WOH G64, stretching its atmosphere without fully stripping it away.
Despite the previous assumptions of a coming supernova, researchers are now looking for additional clues about WOH G64’s future. Understanding how binary star systems work helps to set the stage. A 2021 survey reported that binary stars are common in the universe, with about 50% of the stars we see being part of such pairs. This context makes WOH G64’s situation particularly fascinating.
As astronomy continues to advance, findings like these show just how complex and dynamic the universe is. With ongoing observations, scientists hope to learn more about WOH G64 and similar stars. The cosmic quest continues as we unravel the mysteries of these stellar giants.
For detailed findings, you can read the study here: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stag012.
