Cosmic Anomaly: Scientists Capture Detailed Image of Dying Star Outside Milky Way Galaxy
A groundbreaking study has successfully captured the first detailed image of a dying star outside our Milky Way galaxy, located 160,000 light-years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The star, known as WOH G64, was revealed wrapped in an unusual egg-shaped cocoon, sparking excitement among scientists.
The star's impressive size, approximately 2000 times that of our Sun, provides valuable insights into the lifecycle of a star and its ultimate demise. According to research, during a star's final stages, it transforms into a red supergiant before exploding in a colossal cosmic event known as a supernova.
"We've made a significant breakthrough in capturing an unprecedented image of a dying star outside our galaxy," said Keiichi Ohnaka, the lead author of the study and an astrophysicist from Universidad Andrés Bello in Chile. "For the first time, we're gaining a clearer understanding of this phenomenon."
The team used the GRAVITY instrument at the European Southern Observatory's (ESO) Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) to capture the image of WOH G64. Initially discovered in 2016, the star remained elusive until now due to the development of new technology.
WOH G64 is believed to have a drastic ejection of material from its surface, which could be linked to the formation of an egg-shaped cocoon surrounding the star. This phenomenon has left scientists intrigued and eager to unravel its secrets.
"Massive stars explode with an energy equivalent to our Sun shining for its entire lifetime," explained Mr Ohnaka. "We've witnessed countless supernova explosions, but never observed a star undergoing this transformation."
Researchers believe that the gas and dust surrounding WOH G64 may be responsible for the cocoon's shape and the star's dimming effect. However, the team also considers an alternative explanation involving a yet-undiscovered companion star.
The groundbreaking study marks a significant milestone in understanding the lifecycle of stars and their ultimate fates.