What's Happening?
An international team of astronomers, led by Dr. Jacco van Loon from Keele University, has confirmed that the massive star WOH G64 remains a red supergiant. Located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, WOH G64 was previously thought to have evolved into a yellow
hypergiant. However, new observations using the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) reveal that the star still exhibits characteristics of a red supergiant, including molecular absorption bands from Titanium Oxide. The study suggests that the star's unusual behavior may be due to binary interaction with a companion star.
Why It's Important?
The confirmation that WOH G64 is still a red supergiant provides valuable insights into the life cycles of massive stars. Understanding the behavior and evolution of such stars is crucial for predicting their eventual fate, including potential supernova explosions. The study also highlights the importance of binary interactions in shaping the characteristics of massive stars. These findings contribute to the broader field of stellar evolution and help refine models of how massive stars evolve and interact with their environments.
