IRAS 05280–6910 explained

IRAS 05280–6910 is a red supergiant star or OH/IR supergiant star^[1] located in the Large Magellanic Cloud. IRAS 05280−6910 was found towards the cluster NGC 1984.^[2] Its is more than 1,300 times larger than of the Sun, making it one of the largest stars discovered so far. If placed at the center of the Solar System, its photosphere would engulf the orbit of Jupiter. It has an estimated mass loss rate of per year, one of the highest known for any red supergiant star.

Characteristics

IRAS 05280–6910 is likely an OH supergiant star. It is the most reddened object in the LMC, It also shows the distinct type of maser signal similar to that of VY Canis Majoris.^[3] Its exact radius is uncertain. According to one paper, it is 1,367 times the size of the Sun, while another says that it is 1,736 times the size of the Sun. In either case, it is among the largest stars known.

IRAS 05280–6910 likely had a mass of 20 to 25 solar masses when it formed.

See also

• HV 888

Notes and References

1. Wood. P. R.. Whiteoak. J. B.. Hughes. S. M. G.. Bessell. M. S.. Gardner. F. F.. Hyland. A. R.. October 1992. OH/IR Stars in the Magellanic Clouds. The Astrophysical Journal. en. 397. 552. 10.1086/171812. 1992ApJ...397..552W. 0004-637X. free.
2. Web site: IRAS 05280-6910 – a Red Supergiant Star . 2023-07-01 . Assignment Point . en-US.
3. Beasor . Emma R. . Smith . Nathan . The Extreme Scarcity of Dust-enshrouded Red Supergiants: Consequences for Producing Stripped Stars via Winds . The Astrophysical Journal . May 2022 . 933 . 1 . 41 . 10.3847/1538-4357/ac6dcf . 2205.02207 . 2022ApJ...933...41B . 248512934 . free .