The largest known star in the universe is UY Scuti. It has an estimated radius of 1.188 billion kilometers
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1. Summary of the results
The original statement claims that UY Scuti is the largest known star in the universe with an estimated radius of 1.188 billion kilometers. According to the analyses, UY Scuti's size is estimated to be around 1,700 times larger than the radius of the sun [1] [2] [3]. However, the estimated radius of UY Scuti varies across sources, with some stating it is approximately 1.2 billion kilometers [4], 909 solar radii (632 million kilometers) [5], or 1.07 billion kilometers [6]. The radius of 1.188 billion kilometers is supported by source [7], which estimates the radius of UY Scuti to be 1708 ± 192 R, approximately 1.188 billion kilometers [7].
- The diameter of UY Scuti is estimated to be approximately 2.4 billion kilometers [2] [4], which would result in a radius of approximately 1.2 billion kilometers.
- The size of UY Scuti can vary due to its classification as a hypergiant star [3].
- If UY Scuti replaced the sun in the center of the solar system, its photosphere would extend just beyond the orbit of Jupiter [1].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
Some sources provide additional context that is not mentioned in the original statement, such as:
- The distance from the sun to UY Scuti is approximately 6313.511 light years [6].
- The atmospheric structure and fundamental parameters of UY Scuti [7].
- The classification of UY Scuti as a red supergiant [5].
- The size of UY Scuti can vary due to its classification as a hypergiant star [3].
Alternative viewpoints include:
- UY Scuti's radius might be smaller by 192 solar radii [7], which could affect its status as the largest known star.
- The estimated radius of UY Scuti is 909 R, which is approximately 632 million kilometers [5], significantly smaller than the given statement.
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original statement may contain potential misinformation or bias, as:
- The estimated radius of 1.188 billion kilometers is not universally accepted [5] [6], with some sources estimating a smaller radius.
- The statement does not provide context about the variation in UY Scuti's size due to its classification as a hypergiant star [3].
- The statement does not mention the margin of error in the measurement of UY Scuti's radius, which is approximately 192 solar radii [3] [7].
The potential beneficiaries of this framing include:
- Astronomers or scientists who support the estimate of 1.188 billion kilometers [7].
- Media outlets or publications that want to emphasize the large size of UY Scuti.
However, this framing may not be beneficial for: