Massive star VY Canis Majoris - polarized light
VY Canis Majoris is one of the largest known stars in the Universe in respect of size. The diameter of this red hypergiant is about 1400 times larger than the Sun. Because of its size it is devouring itselve, consuming its fuel at fantastic rates. This star releases as much energy in the amount of seconds as our Sun does in an entire year.
Because red hypergiants are so active, their lifetimes are measured only in millions of years which is a blink of an eye compared to the lifetime of the Sun, which is measured in billions of years. At the end of their lifes they explode in hypernovas; these outbursts contain more energy than 100 supernovae.
Credit:About the Image
About the Object
Name: | VY Canis Majoris |
Type: | Local Universe : Star : Evolutionary Stage : Red Supergiant |
Distance: | 3500 light years |
Constellation: | Canis Major |
Category: | Stars |
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Coordinates
Position (RA): | 7 22 58.32 |
Position (Dec): | -25° 46' 3.19" |
Field of view: | 0.20 x 0.20 arcminutes |
Orientation: | North is 40.8° left of vertical |
Colours & filters
Band | Wavelength | Telescope |
---|---|---|
Optical POL0V | 550 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
Optical POL60V | 550 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |
Optical POL120V | 550 nm |
Hubble Space Telescope
ACS |