WR-102

Wolf-Rayet 102 is a very rare star in our Milky Way galaxy. There are approximately 500 or so of these Wolf-Rayet stars in our Milky Way galaxy, so that is not very many.

These stars are evolved, massive stars that have completely lost their outer hydrogen and are fusing helium and heavier elements in the core. WR 102 is in its final stages of nuclear fusion, near or beyond the end of helium burning. It’s likely it only has a few thousand years to exist before it explodes.

WR102 is 200,000 degrees hotter than our sun and the hottest star ever recorded. These fascinating astronomical objects provide a glimpse into the extreme conditions of our Milky Way galaxy.

Image Processing: Mark Hanson

Data: Martin Pugh

Enjoy, Mark Hanson