First Glimpse Beyond Milky Way: A Hidden Star's Past Lives

Ever wondered what a star might look like up close? Scientists have just snapped the first detailed pic of a star in a different galaxy. This star, WOH G64, is a real monster, weighing in at about 2, 000 times the mass of our sun. It's a red supergiant, currently hanging out in the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy. But wait, there's a twist! The star isn't alone. It's wrapped in an egg-shaped cocoon of gas and dust. This isn't just a stylish accessory; it might be a sign that the star is ready to set off a cosmic firework show – a supernova! The cocoon could be due to the star's spin or a mystery companion. It's like the star is dropping hints about its final act. Astronomers can't predict exactly when the show will start, but in space time, it could be any day now – or in thousands of years. To snap this photo, scientists used a super-powered telescope in Chile. The image is so detailed, it's like seeing an astronaut walk on the moon from Earth. Pretty cool, huh?