Astronomers have observed significant changes in WOH G64, one of the largest known stars in the universe, suggesting it may be transitioning from a red supergiant to a yellow hypergiant over just three decades.
WOH G64, a massive star located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, has undergone profound changes in its structure over the last thirty years, as reported in a recent study in Nature Astronomy led by Spanish astronomer Gonzalo Muñoz Sánchez. This star, categorized previously as a red supergiant, is now believed to be transitioning to a yellow hypergiant, a process that has surprised astronomers due to the relatively short observational period in stellar terms.
The study highlights the rare opportunity to witness in real-time the different processes that can influence the final stages of massive stars. Red supergiants typically have life spans ranging from 1 to 10 million years, and those that are the most luminous can be more than twice the size of ordinary supergiants. The changes observed in WOH G64 may provide insights into the lifecycle and evolution of massive stars, which play essential roles in the chemical enrichment of the universe and the dynamics of galaxies.
Understanding these transitions is crucial not only for stellar evolution theories but also for the broader astrophysical context. The findings could have implications for how astronomers estimate the lifespans and ultimate fates of massive stars, crucial for comprehending the processes that govern galaxy formation and evolution across cosmic time.
