Mothra (star)

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Mothra
Galaxy cluster MACS0416 with Mothra pullout (heic2310b).jpg
Image of the star Mothra within MACS J0416.1-2403
Observation data
Epoch J2000.0       Equinox J2000.0
Constellation Eridanus [1]
Right ascension 04h 16m 08.84s [2]
Declination −24° 03′ 58.6″ [2]
Characteristics
A
Evolutionary stage Blue supergiant [2]
B
Evolutionary stage Yellow hypergiant [2]
Astrometry
Distance 17.6 billion [2]   ly
Details [2]
A
Luminosity 125,000  L☉
Temperature 14,000  K
B
Luminosity50,000  L☉
Temperature 5,250  K
Other designations
EMO J041608.8-240358 [2]

Mothra, or EMO J041608.838-240358.60, is a binary system with a possible transient, [3] in the constellation of Eridanus. Mothra is in one of the strongly lensed galaxies behind the galaxy cluster MACS J0416.1-2403, nicknamed the "Christmas Tree Galaxy Cluster". [4]

Contents

Location

The Mothra system is located at redshift z = 2.091 or about 10.5 billion light years away, and is notable for being one of the most distant star systems ever discovered. [2]

The Mothra system is located in is LS1. LS1 is believed to be 10,000-1,000,000 M☉ and is classified as a dwarf galaxy or globular cluster. LS1 and the Mothra system are behind the galaxy cluster MACS J0416.1-2403, and they used to same galaxy cluster as a gravitational lens to discover LS1 and Mothra. [5]

Physical properties

Mothra consists of two supergiant stars, a yellow supergiant/hypergiant? and a blue supergiant. As of 2025, the orbital characteristics of the Mothra system is unknown. [2]

The primary component of the Mothra system is classified as a yellow supergiant or yellow hypergiant.

Mothra A has a size of 271 R☉, a luminosity of 50,000 L☉, a temperature of 5,250 K, and has an initial mass of 15 M☉. [2]

The secondary component of the Mothra system is classified as a blue supergiant.

Mothra B has a size of 60 R☉, a luminosity of 125,000 L☉, and a temperature of 14,000 K. [5] [2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Roman, Nancy G. (1987). "Identification of a constellation from a position". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific . 99 (617): 695. Bibcode:1987PASP...99..695R. doi: 10.1086/132034 . Constellation record for this object at VizieR.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Diego, Jose M.; Sun, Bangzheng; Yan, Haojing; Furtak, Lukas J.; Zackrisson, Erik; Dai, Liang; Kelly, Patrick; Nonino, Mario; Adams, Nathan; Meena, Ashish K.; Willner, Steven P.; Zitrin, Adi; Cohen, Seth H.; D'Silva, Jordan C. J.; Jansen, Rolf A.; Summers, Jake; Windhorst, Rogier A.; Coe, Dan; Conselice, Christopher J.; Driver, Simon P.; Frye, Brenda; Grogin, Norman A.; Koekemoer, Anton M.; Marshall, Madeline A.; Pirzkal, Nor; Robotham, Aaron; Rutkowski, Michael J.; Ryan, Russell E.; Tompkins, Scott; Willmer, Christopher N. A.; Bhatawdekar, Rachana (November 1, 2023). "JWST's PEARLS: Mothra, a new kaiju star at z = 2.091 extremely magnified by MACS0416, and implications for dark matter models". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 679: A31. arXiv: 2307.10363 . Bibcode:2023A&A...679A..31D. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202347556 – via NASA ADS.
  3. ↑ "Guide to Transient Astronomy". 30 October 2022.
  4. ↑ "NASA's Webb, Hubble Combine to Create Most Colorful View of Universe - NASA". November 9, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Starr, Michelle (August 3, 2023). "Meet Giant Mothra: Extremely Rare 'Kaiju' Monster Star Discovered". ScienceAlert. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.

Further reading

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