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HR 5171

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description HR 5171 Overview

HR 5171, also cataloged as V766 Centauri, is a yellow hypergiant star located in the constellation Centaurus. It is classified as one of the largest known stars in the observable universe by physical radius, measuring hundreds of times the size of the Sun. The system is scientifically notable for operating as a contact binary, where the primary hypergiant star is actively sharing physical material with a smaller, closely orbiting companion star.

help HR 5171 FAQ

What constellation is HR 5171 located in?

HR 5171 is a yellow hypergiant star located in the southern constellation of Centaurus. It is not visible to the naked eye because it is heavily obscured by intervening cosmic dust.

How large is the star HR 5171?

HR 5171 is recognized as one of the largest stars ever discovered, with a physical radius estimated to be over a thousand times that of the Sun. It ranks among the top largest known stars in the entire Milky Way galaxy.

Is HR 5171 a binary star system?

Yes, HR 5171 forms a contact binary system with a smaller giant companion star. The two stars are so close together that they actually physically touch and share a common atmospheric envelope.

What evolutionary stage is HR 5171 currently in?

As a yellow hypergiant, HR 5171 is in a highly unstable and short-lived late-stage evolutionary phase. These rare stars are rapidly shedding mass and will eventually explode as a supernova.

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