When you’re looking up at the stars, trying to get your head around how far apart those distant suns are, buckle up for the ride. This week, we’re taking a deep dive into one of the largest known stars in the universe — WOH G64. And, while it may not be the biggest star ever discovered, it’s definitely making waves within the astronomy world.

First off, let’s get to know WOH G64 a little better. It lives in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, approximately 160,000 light years away. So, we’re talking pretty far away from home here, right?

So, what makes WOH G64 so unique? Let’s talk about its size. If you were to place WOH G64 in the middle of our Solar System, the edge of its surface would extend beyond Jupiter’s orbit. Yes, just that enormous. Estimates suggest that WOH G64 is roughly 1540 times larger than our Sun, which makes it one of the most luminous red supergiants known. Our Sun would essentially be nothing more than a small speck when placed against the size of this colossal star.

What’s interesting about WOH G64 is not only its immense size, but it’s also a glimpse into the life cycle of large stars. Massive stars are a combustible combination of raw power and celestial artistry. They burn through their fuel at an alarming rate, swell up to enormous sizes, shed mass as they go along, and eventually explode as supernovae that could briefly outshine entire galaxies.

Notably, WOH G64’s enormity isn’t simply a curiosity for astronomers. Its massive size is also a vital key in understanding how stars develop and die in different environments. The LMC has a variable metal content compared to the Milky Way, which directly influences the growth and death of stars similar to WOH G64. Learning about these types of giant stars can help us piece together the overall puzzle of the universe’s development.

For those who enjoy the thrill of discovery, there is another question to ponder: could there exist stars that are even larger than WOH G64 hiding somewhere in the universe? The universe does seem to have a tendency to surprise us. However, until now, WOH G64 stands alone as a champion of massive stars. As we gaze upon the night sky, let us remember how minute our everyday world is.

The next time you’re gazing up at the stars, think of a star so large that it could consume multiple planets. It’s both humbling — and exciting. Thank you for joining me on this journey to explore the universe. Keep watching the skies and wonder what other secrets lie hidden. We’ll continue to share additional stellar stories next week with a focus on the awe-inspiring supernovae and what they tell us about the universe’s brutal beauty.