There is a theory that Earth and sun and galaxy and all the known universes are only a dust mote on some policeman’s uniform in some gigantic super-world. Couldn’t we be under some super-microscope, right now? -Wolf 359, the Outer Limits Wolf 359 (also known by its Variable star designation CN Leonis) is a red dwarf star in the constellation… Continue reading Wolf 359
Westerlund 1 is a red supergiant cluster in the constellation Ara. As its name suggests, it was discovered by Bengt Westerlund in 1961. Westerlund also discovered the largest known star, WOH G64. Westerlund 1 is notable for containing four extreme red supergiant stars. Westerlund 1 also contains six yellow hypergiants, 24 Wolf Rayets, and a Luminous blue variable among many… Continue reading Westerlund 1
VFTS 352 is a contact binary system in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Both stars in the system are O-type deep blue stars, roughly 7 times larger than the Sun. While VFTS 3522 is larger and more massive, both stars are incredibly similar. Both stars are tidally locked. The stars may end up creating a rapidly spinning single star in the… Continue reading VFTS 352
WOH G64 is a star in the Large Magellanic Cloud, in the constellation Dorado. It is currently the largest known star, with an accurate measurement, with a whopping radius of 1,540 times that of the Sun. Stephenson 2-18, a star with an unconfirmed radius of 2,150 Solar Radii, may potentially be larger. It has a small companion star, but not… Continue reading WOH G64
Hamal is an orange giant star in the constellation Aries. It is the brightest star in the constellation, and it is the 50th brightest star in the entire night sky. Its name is derived from the shortening of the Arabian term Ras Al-Hamal. It is thought there is a planet orbiting the star. Astronomical data Radius (in Solar Radii): 15.19… Continue reading Hamal
Regulus is a blue straggler star in the constellation Leo. it is the brightest star in the constellation Leo and the 21st brightest star in the night sky. The Regulus system is composed of four stars and a brown dwarf. Regulus Aa is a very oblate star, caused by its 15.9-hour rotation period. The name Regulus means ‘little king’ in… Continue reading Regulus
Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star in the constellation Orion. It is famous for being one of the largest known stars, with a maximum size of 764 Solar Radii. It is the second brightest star in Orion, however its brightness fluctuates over time. In 2019, Betelgeuse experienced a Great Dimming event similar to other stars. Betelgeuse is arguably the largest… Continue reading Betelgeuse
Castor is a white main sequence star in the constellation Gemini. it is the second brightest star in said constellation, although its Bayer designation is α Geminorum. It is a 6 star system, Composed of two white main sequence stars and four red dwarf stars. The two components of Castor C are also known as YY Geminorum. Astronomical data Castor… Continue reading Castor
Pollux is an orange giant star in the constellation Gemini. It is the brightest star In said constellation, Although it is given the Bayer designation β Geminorum. Pollux, along with Castor are named after the twins in Greek and Roman mythology, hence the two stars’ origin constellation. Pollux is the nearest giant star to the sun. It is said that… Continue reading Pollux
Sirius is a blue-white main sequence star in the constellation Canis Major. It is the brightest star in the night sky. Its name means ‘Scorching’ in Greek. The Sirius system Is composed of two stars, a blue-white main sequence star and a white dwarf. The white dwarf is smaller than Earth, while the main sequence star is at least twice… Continue reading Sirius
