Prakash Kafle/Kathmandu.One of the largest known stars in the universe may be nearing a dramatic explosion, according to a new study published in Nature Astronomy. The star, known as WOH G64, is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy outside the Milky Way.
Scientists report that WOH G64 underwent a significant transformation in 2014. Research led by Gonzalo Muñoz-Sánchez at the National Observatory of Athens suggests the star has evolved from a red supergiant into a rare yellow hypergiant — a transitional phase that may signal it is approaching a supernova explosion.
WOH G64 was first discovered in the 1970s and is considered one of the largest stars ever identified. Its radius is estimated to be about 1,500 times larger than that of the Sun. Despite its enormous size, the star is relatively young, with an estimated age of less than five million years — compared to the Sun’s 4.6 billion years.
Recent high-resolution images captured using the Very Large Telescope Interferometer revealed a thick, dust-filled shell surrounding the star. This structure confirms that WOH G64 is losing mass rapidly, shedding its outer layers as its core contracts and heats up — a typical sign of late-stage stellar evolution.
Scientists propose two possible explanations for the 2014 changes: interaction with a companion star or the onset of a pre-supernova phase. While it is certain that such massive stars eventually explode, predicting exactly when remains difficult.
If WOH G64 does explode within our lifetime, it would provide a rare opportunity for astronomers to observe and study a supernova event beyond our galaxy.
