How big can stars grow?
Observations of the supergiant stars scattered across our galaxy seem to indicate a natural upper limit on the mass of stars of just over 100 times the mass of our Sun. Exactly what facets of the physics of star formation prevent more massive stars from forming remains a mystery, but new developments in infrared telescope technologies are allowing astronomers to peer ever deeper into the warm clouds of gas that give birth to the stars, and answers to questions like these could be forthcoming.
As to sheer girth, those 100 solar masses can be stretched out to rather incredible distances, resulting in tenuous, cold red supergiants of unbelievable proportions. Mu Cephei, one of the largest stars known, is more than 1,500 times wider than our Sun; if placed at the center of our solar system, it would extend out to between the orbits of Jupiter and Saturn, swallowing the four innermost planets -- including Earth.
» FAQs about StarDate Online
Stars and Nebulae Links
StarDate's Black Hole Encyclopedia
Stars and Constellations
Virtual Trips to Black Holes and Neutron Stars
|
  |
Contact | About | Friends of McDonald | Sign up for Sky Tips
