Stephenson 2-18 (also called Stephenson 2 DFK 1 or RSGC2-01) is an extreme red hypergiant star in the constellation Scutum. It Is very commonly incorrectly touted as the largest star ever discovered, for a 2020 estimate inaccurately placed its size at 2,150 Solar Radii, which a star that big literally cannot exist. It is one of the most luminous stars known.
Astronomical data
Radius (in Solar Radii): ~1,300 R☉
Diameter (in Kilometers): 1,809,600,000 km
Distance (in Light Years): 18,900 ly
Spectral type: M5 (Red)
I never knew this star existed. So awesome to discover this exists. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, there are other stars that carry that name. And a lot of kids on YouTube still think this is the largest star, and I have to correct them.