Produced by: Manoj Kumar
For the first time, scientists have captured an image of WOH G64, a red supergiant 160,000 light-years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud, marking a groundbreaking achievement in astronomical observation.
Credit : ESO.org
WOH G64 is shedding its outer layers, a dramatic process leading to its inevitable transformation into a colossal supernova, potentially rewriting the final chapters of stellar evolution.
Credit : ESO.org
“This star is among the most extreme of its kind,” says Dr. Jacco van Loon of Keele Observatory, hinting that even small changes could hasten its explosive demise.
“Capturing such detail of a star beyond our galaxy is extraordinary,” said Dr. Darren Baskill, Physics lecturer at Sussex University, emphasizing the unique difficulty of observing distant celestial phenomena.
The Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) in Chile enabled the incredible capture, combining light from multiple telescopes to image the distant star’s dust-shrouded surroundings.
Credit : ESO.org
WOH G64 is surrounded by a dust cocoon, likely created by expelled gas or a hidden companion star. This shroud offers clues about the star’s dramatic lifecycle.
Credit : ESO.org
“This discovery sheds light on the final stages of stellar evolution,” said Baskill, explaining how supergiants like WOH G64 enrich the cosmos with elements that form the building blocks of life.
Credit : ESO.org
Red supergiants and their supernovae create most of the universe’s heavy elements, linking stars like WOH G64 directly to the origins of planets—and humans.
The unprecedented imaging of WOH G64 represents a leap forward in astronomy, illuminating the mysteries of distant galaxies and the stars that define them.