For the first time ever, astronomers have managed to capture detailed images of a star beyond our own Milky Way, marking a defining moment in the study of the cosmos. The star, named WOH G64, is located about 160,000 light-years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a smaller galaxy neighboring our own.
This historic achievement was detailed by Keiichi Ohnaka, an astrophysicist involved with the research team from Andrés Bello National University in Chile. He described the image as showcasing the star ‘bulging like an overripe fruit’, hinting at its imminent explosion, which could happen within the next million years, all things considered.
WOH G64 is classified as a red supergiant, the most luminous star of its kind known to exist within its galaxy. Its mass is estimated to be at least 2,000 times greater than our sun, and it has spent thousands of years erupting clouds of gas from its surface. Astronomers refer to this phase of stellar evolution as “Apocalypse Soon”, acknowledging the unpredictable timeline leading up to the star's eventual fate.
Although records show previous observations via spacecraft as far back as the 1980s, it was through the impressive capabilities of the Very Large Telescope and the high-resolution interferometer known as GRAVITY, which integrates the light from multiple telescopes, enabling astronomers to achieve unprecedented clarity.
The photo obtained showcases WOH G64 surrounded by hypnotizing arcs and clouds of gas—remnants of its past eruptions—reminding observers of the tumultuous process leading up to its dramatic end.
Notably, this groundbreaking image helps shed light on processes previously shrouded by distance. Robert Kirshner, director of the TMT International Observatory, noted, “That star is a mess as it gets ready to explode,” portraying the chaotic nature of WOH G64's current state.
By capturing such detailed imagery, researchers are hoping to deepen our knowledge of the life cycles of massive stars. Stars, particularly supergiants, play monumental roles in the formation of elements necessary for life. Their stellar explosions, or supernovae, contribute to the cosmic evolution of new stars and planets by disseminizing heavier elements across space.
Interestingly, the last significant supernova observed occurred within the same region, known as SN1987A. This historic explosion occurred 37 years ago—part of the same galaxy as WOH G64—and scientists are eager to see how this star might evolve similarly.
Ohnaka and his team’s efforts represent not just a remarkable achievement but also serve as motivation for future explorations. Will we witness more stellar phenomena within our lifetime? Jacco van Loon, another member of the research team from Keele University, remarked, “We’ve never before caught such metamorphosis in the act,” pointing to the ever-growing treasure trove of astronomical wonders waiting to be explored.
From the elegant shapes formed by dying stars, to the unraveling of molecular structures capable of forming new solar systems, this image of WOH G64 serves as yet another reminder of the vastness of our universe and the stories it holds, just waiting to be uncovered.
