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WOH G64: Red Supergiant's Fate Revealed by Stellar Interaction

1/30/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Atmospheric changes in WOH G64, a red supergiant in the Large Magellanic Cloud, result from binary interaction with a smaller, hotter companion star.
Astronomers initially speculated WOH G64 could become a yellow hypergiant, but it remains a red supergiant.
Titanium oxide molecules confirm WOH G64's cooler temperature.
Dr. Jacco van Loon of Keele University leads research and says WOH G64 will not explode imminently and will eventually explode as a supernova.

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Story summary

Atmospheric changes in WOH G64, a red supergiant in the Large Magellanic Cloud, result from binary interaction with a smaller, hotter companion star.
Astronomers initially speculated WOH G64 could become a yellow hypergiant, but it remains a red supergiant.
Titanium oxide molecules confirm WOH G64's cooler temperature.
Dr. Jacco van Loon of Keele University leads research and says WOH G64 will not explode imminently and will eventually explode as a supernova.