Massive Star Astronomy

Massive star astronomy studies the most large and luminous stars in the universe, typically those more than eight times the mass of our Sun. These stars have short, bright lifespans and influence their surroundings through intense radiation and stellar winds. Understanding their life cycles helps scientists learn about stellar evolution, supernova explosions, and the formation of black holes and neutron stars. Their extreme physical properties also provide insights into nuclear physics under conditions impossible to recreate on Earth, making massive star astronomy essential for understanding the lifecycle of matter and energy in the cosmos.