Mothra (star)

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]

Mothra

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
Luminosity	50,000 L☉
Temperature	5,250 K
Other designations
EMO J041608.8-240358[2]

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

• Godzilla (star), another kaiju star.