Key Information
VY Canis Majoris
| Type | Star System |
| Diameter | 1,227,697,920 miles |
| Distance | 3,900 light years |
| Temperature | 6,740 °F |
| Star Type | M3–M4.5 – Red Hypergiant |
| Date of Discovery | 1801 (Jérôme Lalande) |
| Other Names | VY CMa, HD 58061, HIP 35793, CD-25 4441 |
Learning Point
- VY Canis Majoris was recorded for the first time in 1801 by Jérôme Lalande, and is thought to be one of the biggest and brightest stars in our galaxy. It is thought to be a hypergiant star, and is possibly billions of times bigger than our sun.
Project
- Draw a comparison of the Sun and VY Canis Majoris.
- Overview
- Nebula
- Comparison
Location
| Located in | Canis Major, Milky Way |
Fun Facts
- Although estimates of its size vary, generally it is thought to be about 1,420 times wider than the Sun, or big enough to place 3 billion suns inside, and as far as Jupiter’s orbit if placed where the Sun is.
- Part of the reason for different estimates comes down to getting a definite distance to it, as a further star would mean it would be bigger. Additionally the material around the star makes it even harder to get exact measurements.
- Some estimates have suggested it might be up to 2,000 times the diameter of the Sun, but these are disputed by others.
- It is large enough that it is already burning through its helium, and is likely to create either a black hole when it goes supernova, or event to destroy itself.
Past Lessons
| 80 | December 13, 2022 | (North America) |