This is a list of the most massive stars that have been discovered, in solar mass units (M☉).
Most of the masses listed below are contested and, being the subject of current research, remain under review and subject to constant revision of their masses and other characteristics. Indeed, many of the masses listed in the table below are inferred from theory, using difficult measurements of the stars' temperatures and absolute brightnesses. All the masses listed below are uncertain: Both the theory and the measurements are pushing the limits of current knowledge and technology. Both theories and measurements could be incorrect. For example, VV Cephei could be between 25–40 M☉, or 100 M☉, depending on which property of the star is examined.
Since massive stars are rare, astronomers must look very far from Earth to find them. All the listed stars are many thousands of light years away, which makes measurements difficult. In addition to being far away, many stars of such extreme mass are surrounded by clouds of outflowing gas created by extremely powerful stellar winds; the surrounding gas interferes with the already difficult-to-obtain measurements of stellar temperatures and brightnesses, which greatly complicates the issue of estimating internal chemical compositions and structures.[lower-alpha 1] This obstruction leads to difficulties in calculating parameters.
Both the obscuring clouds and the great distances make it difficult to judge whether the star is just a single supermassive object or, instead, a multiple star system. A number of the "stars" listed below may actually be two or more companions orbiting too closely to distinguish by our telescopes, each star being massive in itself but not necessarily "supermassive" to either be on this list, or near the top of it. Other combinations are possible – for example a supermassive star with one or more smaller companions or more than one giant star – but without being able to see inside the surrounding cloud, it is difficult to know the truth of the matter.
More globally, statistics on stellar populations seem to indicate that the upper mass limit is in the 100–200 solar mass range,[1] so all mass estimates exceeding this range are suspect.
Eclipsing binary stars are the only stars whose masses are estimated with some confidence. However note that almost all of the masses listed in the table below were inferred by indirect methods; only a few of the masses in the table were determined using eclipsing systems.
Amongst the most reliable listed masses are those for the eclipsing binaries NGC 3603-A1, WR 21a, and WR 20a. Masses for all three were obtained from orbital measurements.[lower-alpha 2] This involves measuring their radial velocities and also their light curves. The radial velocities only yield minimum values for the masses, depending on inclination, but light curves of eclipsing binaries provide the missing information: inclination of the orbit to our line of sight.
Some stars may once have been more massive than they are today. It is likely that many large stars have suffered significant mass loss (perhaps as much as several tens of solar masses). This mass may have been expelled by superwinds: high velocity winds that are driven by the hot photosphere into interstellar space. The process forms an enlarged extended envelope around the star that interacts with the nearby interstellar medium and infusing the region with elements heavier than hydrogen or helium.[lower-alpha 3]
There are also – or rather were – stars that might have appeared on the list but no longer exist as stars, or are supernova impostors; today we see only their debris.[lower-alpha 4] The masses of the precursor stars that fueled these destructive events can be estimated from the type of explosion and the energy released, but those masses are not listed here (see § Black holes below).
There are two related theoretical limits on how massive a star can possibly be: the accretion limit and the Eddington mass limit. The accretion limit is related to star formation: After about 120 M☉ have accreted in a protostar, the combined mass should have become hot enough for its heat to drive away any further incoming matter. In effect, the protostar reaches a point where it evaporates away material as fast as it collects new material. The Eddington limit is based on light pressure from the core of an already-formed star: As mass increases past ~150 M☉, the intensity of light radiated from a Population I star's core will become sufficient for the light-pressure pushing outward to exceed the gravitational force pulling inward, and the surface material of the star will be free to float away into space.
Astronomers have long hypothesized that as a protostar grows to a size beyond 120 M☉, something drastic must happen.[2] Although the limit can be stretched for very early Population III stars, and although the exact value is uncertain, if any stars still exist above 150–200 M☉ they would challenge current theories of stellar evolution.
Studying the Arches Cluster, which is currently the densest known cluster of stars in our galaxy, astronomers have confirmed that no stars in that cluster exceed about 150 M☉.
Rare ultramassive stars that exceed this limit – for example in the R136 star cluster – might be explained by the following proposal: Some of the pairs of massive stars in close orbit in young, unstable multiple-star systems must occasionally collide and merge, when certain unusual circumstances hold that make a collision possible.[3]
Eddington's limit on stellar mass arises because of light-pressure: For a sufficiently massive star the outward pressure of radiant energy generated by nuclear fusion in the star's core exceeds the inward pull of its own gravity. The lowest mass for which this effect is active is the Eddington limit.
Stars of greater mass have a higher rate of core energy generation, and heavier stars luminosities increase far out of proportion to the increase in their masses. The Eddington limit is the point beyond which a star ought to push itself apart, or at least shed enough mass to reduce its internal energy generation to a lower, maintainable rate. The actual limit-point mass depends on how opaque the gas in the star is, and metal-rich Population I stars have lower mass limits than metal-poor Population II stars. Before their demise, the hypothetical metal-free Population III stars would have had the highest allowed mass, somewhere around 300 M☉.
In theory, a more massive star could not hold itself together because of the mass loss resulting from the outflow of stellar material. In practice the theoretical Eddington Limit must be modified for high luminosity stars and the empirical Humphreys–Davidson limit is used instead.[4]
Wolf–Rayet star |
Luminous blue variable |
O-type star |
B-type star |
The following two lists show a few of the known stars, including the stars in open cluster, OB association and H II region. Despite their high luminosity, many of them are nevertheless too distant to be observed with the naked eye. Stars that are at least sometimes visible to the unaided eye have their apparent magnitude (6.5 or brighter) highlighted in blue.
The first list gives stars that are estimated to be 60 M☉ or larger; the majority of which are shown. The second list includes some notable stars which are below 60 M☉ for the purpose of comparison. The method used to determine each star's mass is included to give an idea of the data's uncertainty; note that the mass of binary stars can be determined far more accurately. The masses listed below are the stars' current (evolved) mass, not their initial (formation) mass.
Star name | Mass (M☉, Sun = 1) |
Approx. distance from Earth (ly) |
Apparent visible magnitude |
Effective temperature (K) |
Estimation method |
Link | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BAT99-98 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 226 | 165,000 | 13.37 | 45,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [5][6] |
R136a1 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 196 | 163,000 | 12.23 | 46,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [7][8] |
Melnick 42 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 189 | 163,000 | 12.78 | 47,300 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
VFTS 1022 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 178 | 164,000 | 13.47 | 42,200 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
Westerhout 51-57 (in Westerhout 51) | 160 | 20,000 | 16.66 (J band) |
42,700 | Evolution | [10] | |
R136a3 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 155 | 163,000 | 12.97 | 50,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [7][8] |
VFTS 682 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 153 | 164,000 | 16.08 | 52,200 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [11][6] |
HD 15558 A (in IC 1805 of Heart Nebula) | 152 | 24,400 | 7.87 (combined) |
39,500 | Binary | SIMBAD | [12][13] |
R136a2 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 151 | 163,000 | 12.34 | 50,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [7][8] |
Westerhout 51-3 (in Westerhout 51) | 148 | 20,000 | 17.79 (J band) |
39,800 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [10] |
Melnick 34 A (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 147 | 163,000 | 13.09 (combined) |
53,000 | Binary | SIMBAD | [14][6] |
VFTS 482 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 145 | 164,000 | 12.95 | 42,200 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
R136c (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 142 | 163,000 | 13.43 | 51,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [15][6] |
VFTS 1021 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 141 | 164,000 | 13.35 | 39,800 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
LH 10-3209 A (in NGC 1763 of LMC) | 140 | 160,000 | 11.859 (combined) |
42,500 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [16][17][lower-alpha 5] |
VFTS 506 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 138 | 164,000 | 13.31 | 47,300 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [11][6] |
Melnick 34 B (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 136 | 163,000 | 13.09 (combined) |
53,000 | Binary | SIMBAD | [14][6] |
Westerhout 51d (in Westerhout 51) | 135 | 20,000 | 15.11 (J band) |
42,700 | Evolution | [10] | |
VFTS 545 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 133 | 164,000 | 13.32 | 47,300 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
HD 97950 B (WR 43b in HD 97950 of NGC 3603) | 132 | 24,800 | 11.33 | 42,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [18][19] |
HD 269810 (in NGC 2029 of LMC) | 130 | 163,000 | 12.22 | 52,500 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | |
R136a7 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 127 | 163,000 | 13.97 | 54,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [20][6] |
WR 42e (in HD 97950 of NGC 3603) | 123 | 25,000 | 14.53 | 43,000 | Ejection | SIMBAD | [21][lower-alpha 6] |
HD 97950 A1a (WR 43a A in HD 97950 of NGC 3603) | 120 | 24,800 | 11.18 (combined) |
42,000 | Binary | SIMBAD | [18][19] |
LSS 4067 (in HM 1) | 120 | 11,000 | 11.44 | 40,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | |
WR 93 (in Pismis 24 of NGC 6357) | 120 | 5,900 | 10.68 | 71,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [22][13] |
Sk -69° 212 (in NGC 2044 of LMC) | 119 | 160,000 | 12.416 | 45,400 | Evolution | SIMBAD | |
Sk -69° 249 A (in NGC 2074 of LMC) | 119 | 160,000 | 12.02 (combined) |
38,900 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][24] |
ST5-31 (in NGC 2074 of LMC) | 119 | 160,000 | 12.273 | 50,700 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][25] |
R136a5 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 116 | 157,000 | 13.71 | 48,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [20][6] |
MSP 183 (in Westerlund 2) | 115 | 20,000 | 13.878 | 46,300 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [26][27] |
WR 24 (in Collinder 228 of Carina Nebula) | 114 | 14,000 | 6.48 | 50,100 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [28][29] |
HD 97950 C1 (WR 43c A in HD 97950 of NGC 3603) | 113 | 24,800 | 11.89 (combined) |
44,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [18][19][lower-alpha 5] |
Arches-F9 (WR 102ae in Arches Cluster) | 111.3 | 25,000 | 16.1 (J band) |
36,600 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [30][31] |
Cygnus OB2 #12 A (in Cygnus OB2) | 110 | 5,200 | 11.702 (combined) |
13,700 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [32][33][lower-alpha 5] |
HD 93129 Aa (in Trumpler 14 of Carina Nebula) | 110 | 7,500 | 6.9 (combined) |
42,500 | Trinary | SIMBAD | [34][13] |
HSH95-36 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 110 | 163,000 | 14.41 | 49,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [20][6] |
R146 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 109 | 164,000 | 13.11 | 63,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [5][6] |
R136a4 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 108 | 157,000 | 13.41 | 50,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [20][6] |
VFTS 621 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 107 | 164,000 | 15.39 | 54,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
R136a6 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 105 | 157,000 | 13.35 | 52,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [20][6] |
Westerhout 49-3 (in Westerhout 49) | 105 | 36,200 | 16.689 (J band) |
40,700 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [35][36] |
WR 21a A (Runaway star from Westerlund 2) | 103.6 | 26,100 | 12.661 (combined) | 45,000 | Binary | SIMBAD | [37][38] |
R99 (in N44 of LMC) | 103 | 164,000 | 11.52 | 28,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [5][13] |
Arches-F6 (WR 102ah in Arches Cluster) | 101 | 25,000 | 15.75 (J band) |
33,900 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [30][31] |
Sk -65° 47 (in NGC 1923 of LMC) | 101 | 160,000 | 12.466 | 47,800 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][17] |
Arches-F1 (WR 102ad in Arches Cluster) | 100.9 | 25,000 | 16.3 (J band) |
33,200 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [30][31] |
Peony Star (WR 102ka in Peony Nebula near Galactic Center) | 100 | 26,000 | 12.978 (J band) |
25,100 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [39][36] |
VFTS 457 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 100 | 164,000 | 13.74 | 39,800 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
η Carinae A (in Trumpler 16 of Carina Nebula) | 100 | 7,500 | 4.3 (combined) |
9,400–35,200 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [40][41] |
Mercer 30-1 A (WR 46-3 A in Mercer 30 of Dragonfish Nebula) | 99 | 40,000 | 10.33 (J band) |
32,200 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [42][lower-alpha 7][lower-alpha 5] |
Sk -68° 137 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 99 | 160,000 | 13.346 | 50,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [16][17] |
WR 25 A (in Trumpler 16 of Carina Nebula) | 98 | 6,500 | 8.8 (combined) |
50,100 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [28][13][lower-alpha 5] |
BI 253 (runaway star from Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 97.6 | 164,000 | 13.76 | 54,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [15][43] |
R136a8 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 96 | 157,000 | 14.42 | 49,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [20][44] |
HD 38282 B (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 95 | 163,000 | 11.11 (combined) |
47,000 | Binary | SIMBAD | [45][38] |
HM 1-6 (in HM 1) | 95 | 11,000 | 11.64 | 44,700 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [22][46] |
NGC 3603-42 (in HD 97950 of NGC 3603) | 95 | 25,000 | 12.86 | 50,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [16][19] |
R139 A (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 95 | 163,000 | 11.94 (combined) |
35,000 | Binary | SIMBAD | [5][6] |
BAT99-6 (in NGC 1747 of LMC) | 94 | 165,000 | 11.95 | 56,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [5][17] |
Sk -66° 172 (in N64 of LMC) | 94 | 160,000 | 13.1 | 46,300 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [16][17][lower-alpha 8] |
ST2-22 (in NGC 2044 of LMC) | 94 | 160,000 | 14.3 | 51,300 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][47] |
VFTS 259 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 94 | 164,000 | 13.65 | 37,600 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
VFTS 562 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 94 | 164,000 | 13.66 | 42,200 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
VFTS 512 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 93 | 164,000 | 14.28 | 47,300 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
HD 97950 A1b (WR 43a B in HD 97950 of NGC 3603) | 92 | 24,800 | 11.18 (combined) |
40,000 | Binary | SIMBAD | [18][19] |
R136b (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 92 | 163,000 | 13.24 | 35,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [20][6] |
VFTS 16 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 91.6 | 164,000 | 13.55 | 50,600 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [15][6] |
HD 97950 A3 (in HD 97950 of NGC 3603) | 91 | 24,800 | 12.95 | 50,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [16][19] |
NGC 346-W1 (in NGC 346 of SMC) | 91 | 200,000 | 12.57 | 43,400 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][48] |
Westerhout 49-2 (in Westerhout 49) | 90–240, 250±120 | 36,200 | 18.246 (J band) |
35,500 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [35][36] |
R127 (in NGC 2055 of LMC) | 90 | 160,000 | 10.15 | 10,000–27,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [49][38] |
VFTS 333 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 90 | 164,000 | 12.49 | 37,600 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
VFTS 267 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 89 | 164,000 | 13.49 | 44,700 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
VFTS 64 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 88 | 164,000 | 14.621 | 39,800 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][17] |
BAT99-80 A (in NGC 2044 of LMC) | 87 | 165,000 | 13 (combined) |
45,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [23][47] |
R140b (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 87 | 165,000 | 12.66 | 47,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [5][6] |
VFTS 542 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 87 | 164,000 | 13.47 | 44,700 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
VFTS 599 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 87 | 164,000 | 13.8 | 44,700 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
WR 89 (in HM 1) | 87 | 11,000 | 11.02 | 39,800 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [28][38] |
Arches-F7 (WR 102aj in Arches Cluster) | 86.3 | 25,000 | 15.74 (J band) |
32,900 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [30][31] |
Sk -69° 104 (in NGC 1910 of LMC) | 86 | 160,000 | 12.1 | 39,900 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][17] |
VFTS 1017 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 86 | 164,000 | 14.5 | 50,100 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
LH 10-3061 (in NGC 1763 of LMC) | 85 | 160,000 | 13.491 | 52,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [16][17] |
Sk 80 (in NGC 346 of SMC) | 85 | 200,000 | 12.31 | 38,900 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][50] |
VFTS 603 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 85 | 164,000 | 13.99 | 42,200 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
Sk -70° 91 (in BSDL 1830 of LMC) | 84.09 | 165,000 | 12.78 | 48,900 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [51][17][lower-alpha 9] |
R147 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 84 | 164,000 | 12.993 | 47,300 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][52] |
HD 93250 A (in Trumpler 16 of Carina Nebula) | 83.3 | 7,500 | 7.5 (combined) |
46,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [53][13][lower-alpha 5] |
Melnick 33Na A (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 83 | 163,000 | 13.79 (combined) |
50,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [54][55] |
WR 20a A (in Westerlund 2) | 82.7 | 20,000 | 13.28 (combined) |
43,000 | Binary | SIMBAD | [56] |
TIC 276934932 A (in NGC 2048 of LMC) | 82 | 160,000 | 14.05 (combined) |
45,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [16][17] |
WR 20a B (in Westerlund 2) | 81.9 | 20,000 | 13.28 (combined) |
43,000 | Binary | SIMBAD | [56] |
Trumpler 27-27 (in Trumpler 27) | 81 | 3,900 | 13.31 | 37,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [22][38] |
BAT99-96 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 80 | 165,000 | 13.76 | 42,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [5][6] |
HD 15570 (in IC 1805 of Heart Nebula) | 80 | 7,500 | 8.11 | 46,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [12][13] |
HD 38282 A (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 80 | 163,000 | 11.11 (combined) |
47,000 | Binary | SIMBAD | [45][38] |
HSH95-46 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 80 | 163,000 | 14.56 | 47,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [20][6] |
Arches-F15 (in Arches Cluster) | 79.7 | 25,000 | 16.12 (J band) |
35,600 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [30][31] |
BI 237 (in BSDL 2527 of LMC) | 79.66 | 165,000 | 13.83 | 51,300 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [51][17][lower-alpha 10] |
VFTS 94 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 79 | 164,000 | 14.161 | 42,200 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][17] |
VFTS 151 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 79 | 164,000 | 14.13 | 42,200 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
LH 41-32 (in NGC 1910 of LMC) | 78 | 160,000 | 13.086 | 48,200 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][17] |
Pismis 24-17 (in Pismis 24 of NGC 6357) | 78 | 5,900 | 11.84 | 42,700 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [57][46] |
VFTS 404 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 78 | 164,000 | 14.14 | 44,700 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
Westerhout 51-2 (in Westerhout 51) | 77 | 20,000 | 13.68 (J band) |
42,700 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [10] |
BAT99-68 (in BSDL 2505 of LMC) | 76 | 165,000 | 14.13 | 45,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [5][17][lower-alpha 11] |
HD 93632 (in Collinder 228 of Carina Nebula) | 76 | 10,000 | 8.23 | 45,400 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [22][13] |
NGC 346-W3 (in NGC 346 of SMC) | 76 | 200,000 | 12.8 | 52,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][48] |
VFTS 169 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 76 | 164,000 | 14.437 | 47,300 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][17] |
VFTS 440 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 76 | 164,000 | 12.046 | 39,800 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][17] |
AB1 (in DEM S10 of SMC) | 75 | 197,000 | 15.238 | 79,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [58][48][lower-alpha 12] |
WR 22 A (in Bochum 10 of Carina Nebula) | 75 | 8,300 | 6.42 (combined) |
44,700 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [28][13][lower-alpha 13] |
Pismis 24-1NE (in Pismis 24 of NGC 6357) | 74 | 6,500 | 11 | 42,500 | Binary | SIMBAD | [57][59] |
VFTS 608 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 74 | 164,000 | 14.22 | 42,200 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
HSH95-31 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 73 | 163,000 | 14.12 | 47,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [20][6] |
Mercer 30-3 (in Mercer 30 of Dragonfish Nebula) | 73 | 40,000 | 12.62 (J band) |
39,300 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [42][lower-alpha 7] |
Mercer 30-11 (in Mercer 30 of Dragonfish Nebula) | 73 | 40,000 | 12.33 (J band) |
36,800 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [42][lower-alpha 7] |
VFTS 566 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 73 | 164,000 | 14.05 | 44,700 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
LH 64-16 (in NGC 2001 of LMC) | 72 | 160,000 | 13.666 | 50,900 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][25] |
NGC 2044-W35 (in NGC 2044 of LMC) | 72 | 160,000 | 14.1 | 48,200 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][17] |
VFTS 216 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 72 | 164,000 | 14.389 | 44,700 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][17] |
ST2-1 (in NGC 2044 of LMC) | 71 | 160,000 | 14.3 | 44,100 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][47] |
VFTS 3 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 71 | 164,000 | 11.56 | 21,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [60][6] |
Arches-F12 (WR 102af in Arches Cluster) | 70 | 25,000 | 16.4 (J band) |
36,900 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [30][31] |
HD 15629 (in IC 1805 of Heart Nebula) | 70 | 7,500 | 8.42 | 45,900 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [12][13] |
HD 37974 (in N135 of LMC) | 70 | 163,000 | 10.99 | 22,500 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [61][38][lower-alpha 14] |
HD 93129 Ab (in Trumpler 14 of Carina Nebula) | 70 | 7,500 | 7.31 (combined) |
44,000 | Trinary | SIMBAD | [34][62] |
M33 X-7 B (in Triangulum Galaxy) | 70 | 2,700,000 | 18.7 | 35,000 | Binary | SIMBAD | [63][64] |
Sk -69° 194 A (in NGC 2033 of LMC) | 70 | 160,000 | 12.131 (combined) |
45,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][52][lower-alpha 5] |
VFTS 125 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 69.6 | 164,000 | 16.6 | 55,200 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [15][47] |
HD 46150 (in NGC 2244 of Rosette Nebula) | 69 | 5,200 | 6.73 | 44,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [16][13] |
HD 229059 (in Berkeley 87) | 69 | 3,000 | 8.7 | 26,300 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [22][13] |
ST2-3 (in NGC 2044 of LMC) | 69 | 160,000 | 14.264 | 44,900 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][17] |
ST2-32 (in NGC 2044 of LMC) | 69 | 160,000 | 13.903 | 45,400 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][17] |
W28-23 (in NGC 2033 of LMC) | 69 | 160,000 | 13.702 | 51,300 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][25] |
HD 93403 A (in Trumpler 16 of Carina Nebula) | 68.5 | 10,400 | 8.27 (combined) |
39,300 | Binary | SIMBAD | [65][38] |
HD 93130 (in Collinder 228 of Carina Nebula) | 68 | 10,000 | 8.04 | 39,900 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [22][13] |
HM 1-8 (in HM 1) | 68 | 11,000 | 12.52 | 46,100 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [22][46] |
HSH95-47 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 68 | 163,000 | 14.72 | 43,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [20][6] |
HSH95-48 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 68 | 163,000 | 14.75 | 46,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [20][44] |
Westerhout 51-61 (in Westerhout 51) | 68 | 20,000 | 18.16 (J band) |
38,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [10][36] |
BAT99-93 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 67 | 165,000 | 13.446 | 45,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [5][17] |
Sk -69° 200 (in NGC 2033 of LMC) | 67 | 160,000 | 11.18 | 26,300 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][17] |
Arches-F18 (in Arches Cluster) | 66.9 | 25,000 | 16.7 (J band) |
36,900 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [30][31] |
Arches-F4 (WR 102al in Arches Cluster) | 66.4 | 25,000 | 15.63 (J band) |
36,800 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [30][31] |
BAT99-59 A (in NGC 2020 of LMC) | 66 | 165,000 | 13.186 (combined) |
71,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [5][17][lower-alpha 5] |
BAT99-104 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 66 | 165,000 | 12.5 | 63,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [5][17] |
HD 5980 B (in NGC 346 of SMC) | 66 | 200,000 | 11.31 (combined) |
45,000 | Trinary | SIMBAD | [66][62] |
HD 190429 A (near Barnard 146) | 66 | 7,800 | 6.63 (combined) |
46,000 | Binary | SIMBAD | [67][13] |
LH 31-1003 (in NGC 1858 of LMC) | 66 | 160,000 | 13.186 | 41,900 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][17] |
LH 114-7 (in N70 of LMC) | 66 | 160,000 | 13.66 | 50,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [16][17][lower-alpha 15] |
Pismis 24-1SW (in Pismis 24 of NGC 6357) | 66 | 6,500 | 11.1 | 40,000 | Binary | SIMBAD | [57][59] |
BAT99-126 (in NGC 2081 of LMC) | 65 | 165,000 | 13.166 | 71,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [5][17] |
HSH95-40 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 65 | 163,000 | 14.56 | 47,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [20][6] |
HSH95-58 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 65 | 163,000 | 14.8 | 47,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [20][6] |
HSH95-89 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 65 | 163,000 | 14.76 | 44,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [44] |
VFTS 63 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 65 | 164,000 | 14.4 | 42,200 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][47] |
VFTS 145 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 65 | 164,000 | 14.3 | 39,800 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
VFTS 518 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 65 | 164,000 | 15.11 | 44,700 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
Westerhout 49-8 (in Westerhout 49) | 65 | 36,200 | 15.617 (J band) |
40,700 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [35][36] |
BD+43° 3654 (Runaway star from Cygnus OB2) | 64.6 | 5,400 | 10.06 | 40,400 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [68][62] |
BAT99-129 A (in DEM L294 of LMC) | 64 | 165,000 | 14.701 (combined) |
79,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [5][17][lower-alpha 16][lower-alpha 5] |
HSH95-50 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 64 | 163,000 | 14.65 | 47,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [20][6] |
Sk -69° 25 (in NGC 1748 of LMC) | 64 | 160,000 | 11.886 | 43,600 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][17] |
Trumpler 27-23 (in Trumpler 27) | 64 | 3,900 | 10.09 | 27,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [22][38] |
Westerhout 49-5 (in Westerhout 49) | 64 | 36,200 | 15.623 (J band) |
42,700 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [35][36] |
HD 46223 (in NGC 2244 of Rosette Nebula) | 63 | 5,200 | 7.28 | 46,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [16][13] |
HD 64568 (in NGC 2467 of Puppis OB2) | 63 | 16,000 | 9.39 | 54,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [16][38] |
HD 303308 (in Trumpler 16 of Carina Nebula) | 63 | 9,200 | 8.17 | 51,300 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [22][38] |
HR 6187 A (in NGC 6193 of Ara OB1) | 63 | 4,300 | 5.54 (combined) |
46,500 | Septenary | SIMBAD | [69][13] |
LH 10-3058 (in NGC 1763 of LMC) | 63 | 160,000 | 14.089 | 54,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [16][17] |
ST5-71 (in NGC 2074 of LMC) | 63 | 160,000 | 13.266 | 45,400 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][17] |
AB9 (in DEM S80 of SMC) | 62 | 197,000 | 15.431 | 100,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [58][48][lower-alpha 17] |
Brey 32 B (in NGC 1966 of LMC) | 62 | 165,000 | 12.32 (combined) |
43,600 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][38] |
HD 93160 (in Trumpler 14 of Carina Nebula) | 62 | 8,000 | 7.6 | 42,700 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [22][13] |
HSH95-35 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 62 | 163,000 | 14.43 | 47,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [20][6] |
LH 41-1017 (in NGC 1910 of LMC) | 62 | 160,000 | 12.266 | 42,700 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][17] |
Mercer 30-6a A (WR 46-4 A in Mercer 30 of Dragonfish Nebula) | 62 | 40,000 | 10.39 (J band) |
29,900 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [42][lower-alpha 7][lower-alpha 5] |
ST4-18 (in NGC 2081 of LMC) | 62 | 160,000 | 13.639 | 44,800 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][17] |
VFTS 664 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 62 | 164,000 | 13.937 | 39,900 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][17] |
HD 229196 (in Cygnus OB9) | 61.6 | 5,000 | 8.59 | 40,900 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [68][46] |
AB8 B (in NGC 602 of SMC) | 61 | 197,000 | 12.83 (combined) |
45,000 | Binary | SIMBAD | [66][70] |
BAT99-79 A (in NGC 2044 of LMC) | 61 | 165,000 | 13.486 (combined) |
42,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [5][17][lower-alpha 5] |
HD 5980 A (in NGC 346 of SMC) | 61 | 200,000 | 11.31 (combined) |
21,000–53,000 | Trinary | SIMBAD | [66][62] |
LH 41-18 (in NGC 1910 of LMC) | 61 | 160,000 | 12.586 | 38,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][17] |
Mercer 30-9 A (in Mercer 30 of Dragonfish Nebula) | 61 | 40,000 | 12.25 (J band) |
34,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [42][lower-alpha 7][lower-alpha 5] |
ST5-25 (in NGC 2074 of LMC) | 61 | 160,000 | 13.551 | 48,600 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][25] |
VFTS 422 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 61 | 164,000 | 15.14 | 39,800 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
WR 102hb (in Quintuplet cluster) | 61 | 26,000 | 13.9 (J band) |
25,100 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [71][72] |
Sk -67° 166 (in GKK-A144 of LMC) | 60.68 | 160,000 | 12.22 | 41,800 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [51][17][lower-alpha 18] |
Sk -67° 167 (in GKK-A144 of LMC) | 60.68 | 160,000 | 12.586 | 41,800 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [51][17][lower-alpha 18] |
Sk -71° 46 (in BSDL 2242 of LMC) | 60.68 | 160,000 | 13.241 | 41,800 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [51][17][lower-alpha 19] |
Brey 10 (in NGC 1770 of LMC) | 60 | 165,000 | 12.69 | 117,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][38] |
Brey 94 A (in NGC 2081 of LMC) | 60 | 165,000 | 12.996 (combined) |
83,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][17][lower-alpha 5] |
Brey 95a A (in NGC 2081 of LMC) | 60 | 165,000 | 12.2 (combined) |
83,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][73][lower-alpha 5] |
HSH95-55 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 60 | 163,000 | 14.74 | 47,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [20][6] |
Mercer 30-7 A (WR 46-5 A in Mercer 30 of Dragonfish Nebula) | 60 | 40,000 | 11.516 (J band) |
41,400 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [42][lower-alpha 7][lower-alpha 5] |
R134 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 60 | 164,000 | 12.75 | 39,800 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [9][6] |
R142 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 60 | 164,000 | 11.82 | 18,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [60][6] |
R143 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 60 | 160,000 | 12.014 | 18,000–36,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [49][17] |
Sk -69° 142a (in NGC 1983 of LMC) | 60 | 160,000 | 11.093 | 34,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [49][52] |
Sk -69° 259 (in NGC 2081 of LMC) | 60 | 160,000 | 11.93 | 23,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [23][38] |
Var 83 (in Triangulum Galaxy) | 60 | 3,000,000 | 16.027 | 18,000–37,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [74][75] |
VFTS 430 (in Tarantula Nebula of LMC) | 60 | 164,000 | 15.11 | 24,500 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [60][6] |
A few notable large stars with masses less than 60 M☉ are shown in the table below for the purpose of comparison, ending with the Sun, which is very close, but would otherwise be too small to be included in the list. At present, all the listed stars are naked-eye visible and relatively nearby.
Star name | Mass (M☉, Sun = 1) |
Approx. distance from earth (ly) |
Apparent visible magnitude |
Effective temperature (K) |
Estimation method |
Link | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ζ Puppis (Naos in Vela R2 of Vela Molecular Ridge) | 56.1 | 1,080 | 2.25 | 40,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [67][13][lower-alpha 20] |
λ Cephei (Runaway star from Cepheus OB3) | 51.4 | 3,100 | 5.05 | 36,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [67][13] |
τ Canis Majoris Aa (in NGC 2362) | 50 | 5,120 | 4.89 | 32,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [76][13] |
θ Muscae Ab (in Centaurus OB1) | 44 | 7,400 | 5.53 (combined) |
33,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [77][13] |
ε Orionis (Alnilam in Orion OB1 of Orion complex) | 40 | 2,000 | 1.69 | 27,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [78][13] |
θ2 Orionis A (in Orion OB1 of Orion complex) | 39 | 1,500 | 5.02 | 34,900 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [79][80] |
α Camelopardalis (Runaway star from NGC 1502) | 37.6 | 6,000 | 4.29 | 29,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [81][13] |
P Cygni (in IC 4996 of Cygnus OB1) | 37 | 5,100 | 4.82 | 18,700 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [82][13][lower-alpha 21] |
ζ1 Scorpii (in NGC 6231 of Scorpius OB1) | 36 | 8,210 | 4.705 | 17,200 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [32][83] |
ζ Orionis Aa (Alnitak in Orion OB1 of Orion complex) | 33 | 1,260 | 2.08 | 29,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [84] |
θ1 Orionis C1 (in Trapezium Cluster of Orion complex) | 33 | 1,340 | 5.13 (combined) |
39,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [85][13] |
κ Cassiopeiae (in Cassiopeia OB14) | 33 | 4,000 | 4.16 | 23,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [86][13] |
μ Normae (in NGC 6169) | 33 | 3,260 | 4.91 | 28,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [87][13] |
η Carinae B (in Trumpler 16 of Carina Nebula) | 30 | 7,500 | 4.3 (combined) |
37,200 | Binary | SIMBAD | [88][41] |
γ2 Velorum B (in Vela OB2) | 28.5 | 1,230 | 1.83 (combined) |
35,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [89][13] |
λ Orionis A (Meissa in Collinder 69 of Orion complex) | 27.9 | 1,100 | 3.54 | 37,700 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [87][90] |
ξ Persei (Menkib in California Nebula of Perseus OB2) | 26.1 | 1,200 | 4.04 | 35,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [81][13] |
WR 79a (in NGC 6231 of Scorpius OB1) | 24.4 | 5,600 | 5.77 | 35,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [87][13] |
δ Orionis Aa1 (Mintaka in Orion OB1 of Orion complex) | 24 | 1,200 | 2.5 (combined) |
29,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [91][92] |
ι Orionis Aa1 (Hatysa in NGC 1980 of Orion complex) | 23.1 | 1,340 | 2.77 (combined) |
32,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | |
κ Crucis (in Jewel Box Cluster of Centaurus OB1) | 23 | 7,500 | 5.98 | 16,300 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [93][62] |
WR 78 (in NGC 6231 of Scorpius OB1) | 22 | 4,100 | 6.48 | 50,100 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [28][29] |
ο2 Canis Majoris (in Collinder 121) | 21.4 | 2,800 | 3.043 | 15,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [87][13] |
β Orionis A (Rigel in Orion OB1 of Orion complex) | 21 | 860 | 0.13 | 12,100 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [94][13] |
η Canis Majoris (Aludra in Collinder 121) | 21 | 2,000 | 2.45 | 15,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [86][13] |
ζ Ophiuchi (in Upper Scorpius subgroup of Scorpius OB2) | 20.2 | 370 | 2.569 | 34,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [81][13] |
υ Orionis (in Orion OB1 of Orion complex) | 20 | 2,900 | 4.618 | 33,400 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [95][96] |
σ Orionis Aa (in Orion OB1 of Orion complex) | 18 | 1,260 | 4.07 (combined) |
35,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [97][98] |
μ Columbae (Runaway star from Trapezium Cluster) | 16 | 1,300 | 5.18 | 33,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [99][13] |
κ Orionis (Saiph in Orion OB1 of Orion complex) | 15.5 | 650 | 2.09 | 26,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [100][13] |
σ Cygni (in Cygnus OB4) | 15 | 3,260 | 4.233 | 10,800 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [101][102] |
θ Carinae A (in IC 2602 of Scorpius OB2) | 14.9 | 460 | 2.76 (combined) |
31,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [87][103] |
θ2 Orionis B (in Orion OB1 of Orion complex) | 14.8 | 1,500 | 6.38 | 29,300 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [104] |
ζ Persei (in Perseus OB2) | 14.5 | 750 | 2.86 | 20,800 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [100][13] |
σ Orionis B (in Orion OB1 of Orion complex) | 14 | 1,260 | 4.07 (combined) |
31,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [97][98] |
β Canis Majoris (Mirzam in Local Bubble of Scorpius OB2) | 13.5 | 490 | 1.985 | 23,200 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [105][106] |
ε Persei A (in α Persei Cluster) | 13.5 | 640 | 2.88 (combined) |
26,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | |
ι Orionis Aa2 (in NGC 1980 of Orion complex) | 13.1 | 1,340 | 2.77 (combined) |
27,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [107][108] |
δ Scorpii A (Dschubba in Upper Scorpius subgroup of Scorpius OB2) | 13 | 440 | 2.307 (combined) |
27,400 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [109][110] |
σ Orionis Ab (in Orion OB1 of Orion complex) | 13 | 1,260 | 4.07 (combined) |
29,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [97][98] |
θ Muscae Aa (WR 48 in Centaurus OB1) | 11.5 | 7,400 | 5.53 (combined) |
83,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [111][13] |
γ2 Velorum A (WR 11 in Vela OB2) | 9 | 1,230 | 1.83 (combined) |
57,000 | Spectroscopy | SIMBAD | [89][13] |
ρ Ophiuchi A (in ρ Ophiuchi cloud complex of Scorpius OB2) | 8.7 | 360 | 4.63 (combined) |
22,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [87][13] |
γ Orionis (Bellatrix in Bellatrix Cluster of Orion complex) | 7.7 | 250 | 1.64 | 21,800 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [112][13] |
α Scorpii B (in Loop I Bubble of Scorpius OB2) | 7.2 | 550 | 5.5 | 18,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [113][90] |
λ Tauri A (in Pisces-Eridanus stellar stream) | 7.18 | 480 | 3.47 (combined) |
18,700 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [114][115] |
δ Persei (in α Persei Cluster) | 7 | 520 | 3.01 | 14,900 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [87][103] |
ψ Persei (in α Persei Cluster) | 6.2 | 580 | 4.31 | 16,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [87][13] |
α Pavonis Aa (Peacock in Tucana-Horologium association) | 5.91 | 180 | 1.94 | 17,700 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [116][108] |
η Tauri A (Alcyone in Pleiades) | 5.9 | 440 | 2.87 (combined) |
12,300 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [117][13] |
γ Canis Majoris (Muliphein in Collinder 121) | 5.6 | 440 | 4.1 | 13,600 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [87][118] |
ο Velorum (in IC 2391 of Scorpius OB2) | 5.5 | 490 | 3.6 | 16,200 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [119][103] |
ο Aquarii (in Pisces-Eridanus stellar stream) | 4.2 | 440 | 4.71 | 13,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [120][121] |
ν Fornacis (in Pisces-Eridanus stellar stream) | 3.65 | 370 | 4.69 | 13,400 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [122][13] |
φ Eridani (in Tucana-Horologium association) | 3.55 | 150 | 3.55 | 13,700 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [116][123] |
η Chamaeleontis (in η Chamaeleontis moving group of Scorpius OB2) | 3.2 | 310 | 5.453 | 12,500 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [124][62] |
ε Chamaeleontis (in ε Chamaeleontis moving group of Scorpius OB2) | 2.87 | 360 | 4.91 | 10,900 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [125][103] |
τ1 Aquarii (in Pisces-Eridanus stellar stream) | 2.68 | 320 | 5.66 | 10,600 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [126][127] |
ε Hydri (in Tucana-Horologium association) | 2.64 | 150 | 4.12 | 11,000 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [126][128] |
β1 Tucanae (in Tucana-Horologium association) | 2.5 | 140 | 4.37 | 10,600 | Evolution | SIMBAD | [87][90] |
Sun (in Solar System) | 1 | 0.0000158 | −26.744 | 5,772 | Standard | IAU | [129][130][131] |
Black holes are the end point evolution of massive stars. Technically they are not stars, as they no longer generate heat and light via nuclear fusion in their cores. Some black holes may have cosmological origins, and would then never have been stars. This is thought to be especially likely in the cases of the most massive black holes.
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tag; no text was provided for refs named Massey2001
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tag; no text was provided for refs named Massey2000
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tag; no text was provided for refs named marchenko
Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List of most massive stars.
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