2024-11-24 07:26:00
For the first time, astronomers have taken a close-up view of a star outside our galaxy. The dying star WOH G64 is 160,000 light-years away, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Chile said in a statement on Thursday (local time). WOH G64 is a red giant, a bloated, dying star about 2,000 times larger than the Sun that is constantly spewing gas and dust into space.
Using the latest technology – connecting several telescopes to form a so-called interferometer – astronomers have already succeeded in making the shape and details of around two dozen stars in the Milky Way visible. This has not yet been possible for stars outside our galaxy. A light year is the distance that light travels in one year. It takes just over eight minutes from the Earth to the Sun.
WOH G64 explodes in a few thousand years
The star WOH G64 shown is located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a small satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. Images taken with ESO’s Very Large Telescope Interferometer in Chile show that the star is surrounded by an egg-shaped cocoon of gas. “This could be related to the violent ejection of material from the dying star before a supernova explosion,” explains Keiichi Ohnaka from Andrés Bello University in Chile, one of the researchers involved.
Astronomers expect WOH G64 to explode in a few thousand years – astronomically speaking, just an instant. It therefore offers researchers a unique insight into the final phase of a star’s life. They present the star in the journal “Astronomy and Astrophysics”.
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**Interview with Dr. Keiichi Ohnaka, Astronomer at Andrés Bello University**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Ohnaka. It’s exciting to discuss these groundbreaking images of the star WOH G64. Can you tell us a little about what makes this observation so significant?
**Dr. Ohnaka**: Thank you for having me. This observation is particularly significant because it’s the first time we’ve captured detailed images of a star outside our Milky Way Galaxy. WOH G64 is about 160,000 light-years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud and serves as a prime example of a dying red giant. The advanced techniques we used, like the Very Large Telescope Interferometer, allowed us to see this star’s structure and the material it’s ejecting into space.
**Interviewer**: The images show WOH G64 surrounded by an egg-shaped cocoon of gas. Could you explain what that signifies in the context of stellar evolution?
**Dr. Ohnaka**: Absolutely. The cocoon suggests this star is in the later stages of its life cycle. As it sheds material, we think this may precede a supernova explosion, which can happen in just a few thousand years—a very brief time cosmically speaking. These observations provide critical insights into how stars end their life cycles and enrich the surrounding space with their remnants.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned that WOH G64 is expected to explode in a few thousand years. How can studying this star enhance our understanding of cosmic events?
**Dr. Ohnaka**: Studying WOH G64 allows us to explore the processes that lead to a supernova. Each supernova contributes to the formation of new stars and planets by spreading elements throughout the universe. By observing WOH G64 now, we can gather data that informs us about the dynamics of such explosions and their consequences for galaxy evolution.
**Interviewer**: With these advancements in technology and techniques, what do you see as the future of astrophysical observations?
**Dr. Ohnaka**: The future is incredibly promising. As we develop even more sophisticated observational tools, we will be able to study not just individual stars but also the complex interactions within galaxies. This could lead to breakthroughs in our understanding of dark matter, galaxy formation, and the universe’s expansion.
**Interviewer**: Fascinating insights, Dr. Ohnaka. Lastly, what are your thoughts on the broader implications of these findings? Should we be concerned about the star’s potential explosion, or is it too far away to pose any risk to Earth?
**Dr. Ohnaka**: While WOH G64 will indeed become a supernova, its distance means we don’t have to worry about any direct effects on Earth. Such cosmic events are part of the natural lifecycle of stars, and they serve more as a reminder of the dynamic beauty and vastness of our universe rather than any immediate concern. However, these findings challenge us to think about our place in the cosmos and the ongoing transformations happening far beyond our planet.
**Interviewer**: Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Ohnaka. It’s been a pleasure discussing this extraordinary achievement in astrophysics.
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**Reader Engagement Question**: With the ability to capture detailed images of distant stars like WOH G64, what do you think the implications are for our understanding of the universe? Should we be more focused on exploration or on the preservation of our own planet? Let us know your thoughts!
