IRAS 05280−6910

IRAS 05280–6910 is a red supergiant star or OH/IR supergiant star^[5] located in the Large Magellanic Cloud. IRAS 05280−6910 was found towards the cluster NGC 1984. It is more than 1,300 times larger than of the Sun, making it one of the largest stars discovered so far. If placed at the center of the Solar System, its photosphere would engulf the orbit of Jupiter. It has an estimated mass loss rate of 5.4×10⁻⁴ M_☉ per year, one of the highest known for any red supergiant star.^[3]

IRAS 05280–6910

The supergiant IRAS 05280–6910 in the open cluster NGC 1984. It is the bright reddened object near the centre Credit: Université de Strasbourg/CNRS
Observation data Epoch J2000      Equinox J2000
Constellation	Dorado (LMC)
Right ascension	05h 28m 00.28s[1]
Declination	−69° 10′ 26.0″[1]
Characteristics
Apparent magnitude (J)	14.45[2]
Apparent magnitude (K)	12.87[2]
Details
Radius	1,367[3] - 1,736[4][a] R☉
Luminosity	220,000[4] - 225,000[3] L☉
Temperature	3,000[4] - 3,400[3] K
Other designations
IRAS 05280–6910, MSX LMC 582, OH 279.6-32.6, LI-LMC 1100, NGC 1984 IR 1
Database references
SIMBAD	data

Characteristics

IRAS 05280–6910 is likely an OH supergiant star. It is the most reddened object in the LMC, It also shows the distinct type of maser signal similar to that of VY Canis Majoris.^[6] Its exact radius is uncertain. According to one paper, it is 1,367 times the size of the Sun,^[3] while another says that it is 1,736 times the size of the Sun. In either case, it is among the largest stars known.^[4]

IRAS 05280–6910 likely had a mass of 20 to 25 solar masses when it formed.^[6]

Notes

1. The radius of IRAS 05280-6910 can be calculated using the Stefan–Boltzmann law and the solar effective temperature of 5,772 K:

   ${\displaystyle {\sqrt {\left({\frac {5,772}{3,400}}\right)^{4}\cdot 225,000}}=1,367.06\ R_{\odot }}$

   ${\displaystyle {\sqrt {\left({\frac {5,772}{3,000}}\right)^{4}\cdot 220,000}}=1,736.29\ R_{\odot }}$