Massive stars as a research area encompasses the theoretical, observational, and computational study of stars with initial masses typically ≥8–10 solar masses, focusing on their formation, internal structure, evolution, feedback, and endpoints. This field investigates radiative and mechanical feedback on the interstellar medium, nucleosynthesis and chemical enrichment, stellar winds, rotation, binarity, and magnetic fields, as well as the progenitors of core-collapse supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, and compact remnants. Research integrates multiwavelength observations, stellar evolution and hydrodynamic simulations, and population synthesis to constrain mass loss, convection, mixing processes, and the role of massive stars in galaxy evolution and cosmology.
A recent five-year study has uncovered new insights into the properties of yellow hypergiants, a heavy star class known for their dramatic outbursts. Scientists focused on Rho Cassiopeiae (Rho Cas), HR 8752, and HR 5171A, ...
Astronomy
Feb 17, 2025
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A new study has unveiled new insights into the effects of massive stars on nearby molecular gas and star formation in the W4 super-large HII region.
Astronomy
Feb 10, 2025
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Highly energetic explosions in the sky are commonly attributed to gamma-ray bursts. We now understand that these bursts originate from either the merger of two neutron stars or the collapse of a massive star.
Astronomy
Jan 30, 2025
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Star formation in the early universe was a vigorous process that created gigantic stars. Called Population III stars, these giants were massive, extremely luminous stars that lived short lives, many of which ended when they ...
Astronomy
Jan 28, 2025
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When some of the biggest stars reach the end of their lives, they explode in spectacular supernovas and leave behind incredibly dense cores called neutron stars. Some of these remnants emit powerful radio beams from their ...
Astronomy
Jan 15, 2025
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Astronomers have unveiled an explosive cosmic fireworks display of stars interacting with their environment. This dazzling spectacle—due to powerful winds flowing from the stars—marks a major milestone in the ability ...
Astronomy
Jan 15, 2025
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Astronomers have long tried to track down how elements like carbon, which is essential for life, become widely distributed across the universe. Now, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has examined one ongoing source of carbon-rich ...
Astronomy
Jan 13, 2025
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Almost 300 binary mergers have been detected so far, indicated by their passing gravitational waves. These measurements from the world's gravitational wave observatories put constraints on the masses and spins of the merging ...
Astronomers from Italy and Spain have used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to observe a massive protostar designated IRAS 20126+4104. The observational campaign, detailed in a paper published Dec. ...
Located a staggering 160,000 light-years from us, the star WOH G64 was imaged thanks to the impressive sharpness offered by the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope Interferometer (ESO's VLTI). The new observations ...
Astronomy
Nov 21, 2024
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