List of largest stars - wikipedia List of largest stars Not to be confused with List of most massive stars. This article possibly contains inappropriate or misinterpreted citations that do not verify the text. Please help improve this article by checking for citation inaccuracies. ( March 2018 ) Relative sizes of the planets in the Solar System and several well - known stars : Mercury < Mars < Venus < Earth Earth < Neptune < Uranus < Saturn < Jupiter Jupiter < Proxima Centauri < Sun < Sirius A Sirius A < Pollux < Arcturus < Aldebaran Aldebaran < Rigel A < Antares A < Betelgeuse Betelgeuse < Mu Cephei < VV Cephei A < VY Canis Majoris Below is an ordered list of the largest stars currently known by radius. The unit of measurement used is the radius of the Sun ( approximately 695,700 km ; 432,288 mi ). The exact order of this list is very incomplete, as great uncertainties currently remain, especially when deriving various important parameters used in calculations, such as stellar luminosity and effective temperature. Often stellar radii can only be expressed as an average or within a large range of values. Values for stellar radii vary significantly in sources and throughout the literature, mostly as the boundary of the very tenuous atmosphere ( opacity ) greatly differs depending on the wavelength of light in which the star is observed. Radii of several stars can be directly obtained by stellar interferometry. Other methods can use lunar occultations or from eclipsing binaries, which can be used to test other indirect methods of finding true stellar size. Only a few useful supergiant stars can be occulted by the Moon, including Antares and Aldebaran. Examples of eclipsing binaries include Epsilon Aurigae, VV Cephei, and HR 5171. Contents 1 Caveats 2 Extragalactic large stars 3 List 4 See also 5 References 6 External links Caveats UY Scuti as seen in visible light. Complex issues exist in determining the true radii of the largest stars, which in many cases do display significant errors. The following lists are generally based on various considerations or assumptions that include : Largest stars are usually expressed in units of the solar radius ( R ), where 1.00 R equals 695,700 kilometres. Stellar radii or diameters are usually only approximated using Stefan -- Boltzmann law for the deduced stellar luminosity and effective surface temperature ; Stellar distances, and their errors, for most, remain uncertain or poorly determined ; Many supergiant stars have extended atmospheres and many are embedded within opaque dust shells, making their true effective temperatures highly uncertain ; Many extended supergiant atmospheres also significantly change in size over time, regularly or irregularly pulsating over several months or years as variable stars. This makes adopted luminosities poorly known and may significantly change the quoted radii ; Other direct methods for determining stellar radii, rely on lunar occultations or from eclipses in binary systems. This is only possible for a very small number of stars ; Based on various theoretical evolutionary models, few stars will exceed 1,500 -- 2,000 times the Sun ( roughly 3,715 K and M = − 9 ). Such limits maybe also depend on the stellar metallicity. Extragalactic large stars In this list are some examples of more distant extragalactic stars, which may have slightly different properties and natures than the currently largest known stars in the Milky Way : Some red supergiants in the Magellanic Clouds are suspected to have slightly different limiting temperatures and luminosities. Such stars may exceed accepted limits by undergoing large eruptions or change their spectral types over just a few months. Humphreys et al., for example, calculates the maximum size for a Magellanic cloud star as ~ 2,600 R. A survey of the Magellanic Clouds has catalogued many red supergiants, where more than 50 of them exceed 700 R ( 490,000,000 km ; 3.3 AU ; 300,000,000 mi ). Largest of these is about 1,200 -- 1,300 R. List This list is incomplete ; you can help by expanding it. List of the largest stars Star name Solar radii ( Sun = 1 ) Method Notes Orbit of Saturn 1,940 -- 2,169 Reported for reference UY Scuti 1,708 ± 192 AD The quoted size was based on an angular diameter and distance of 2.9 kpc. Gaia Data Release 2 suggests a much closer distance and consequently smaller radius. WOH G64 1,540 -- 1,730 L / T This would be the largest star in the LMC, but is unusual in position and motion and might still be a foreground halo giant. RW Cephei 1,535 L / T RW Cep is variable both in brightness ( by at least a factor of 3 ) and spectral type ( observed from G8 to M ), thus probably also in diameter. Because the spectral type and temperature at maximum luminosity are not known, the quoted size is just an estimate. Westerlund 1 - 26 1,530 -- 1,580 ( -- 2,550 ) L / T Very uncertain parameters for an unusual star with strong radio emission. The spectrum is variable but apparently the luminosity is not. HD 143183 1,480 -- 1,830 L / T VY Canis Majoris 1,420 ± 120 AD The size of VY CMa was revised in 2012 through newly improved measurements which result this value being the highest among well - characterized stars. Other stars could be larger but they could have less accurate radius estimates. KY Cygni 1,420 -- 2,850 L / T The upper estimate is due to an unusual K - band measurement and thought to be an artifact of a reddening correction error, and is thought to be against stellar evolutionary theory. The lower estimate is consistent with other stars in the same survey and with theoretical models. AH Scorpii 1,411 ± 124 AD AH Sco is variable by nearly 3 magnitudes in the visual range, and an estimated 20 % in total luminosity. The variation in diameter is not clear because the temperature also varies. RSGC1 - F02 1,398 L / T IRAS 04509 - 6922 1,360 L / T RSGC1 - F01 1,335 L / T HR 5171 A 1,315 ± 260, 1,575 ± 400 AD HR 5171 A is a highly distorted star in a close binary system, losing mass to the secondary, and is also variable in temperature, thus probably also in diameter. Traditionally, it is considered as the largest known yellow hypergiant, although the latest research suggests it is a red supergiant with a radius of 1,490 ± 540 R. SMC 18136 1,310 Largest star in the Small Magellanic Cloud IRAS 05280 - 6910 1,260 - 1,738 L / T Mu Cephei ( Herschel 's `` Garnet Star '' ) 1,260 Prototype of the obsolete class of the Mu Cephei variables and also the reddest star in the night sky in terms of the B-V color index. Other recent estimates range from 650 R to 1,420 R LMC 136042 1,240 BI Cygni 1,240 L / T Westerlund 1 - 237 1,233 L / T SMC 5092 1,220 S Persei 1,212 ± 124 AD & L / T A red hypergiant localed in the Perseus Double Cluster. A large radius of 1,230 R is due to an unusual K - band measurement and thought to be an artifact of a reddening correction error. A small radius of 780 R is consistent with other stars in the same survey and with theoretical models. LMC 175464 1,200 LMC 135720 1,200 IRC - 10414 1,200 IRC - 10414 is a rare red supergiant companion to WR 114 that has a bow shock. PZ Cassiopeiae 1,190 -- 1,940 L / T The upper estimate is due to an unusual K - band measurement and thought to be an artefact of a reddening correction error. The lower estimate is consistent with other stars in the same survey and with theoretical models, and the intermediate ones have been obtained refining the distance to this star, and thus its parameters. SMC 69886 1,190 NML Cygni 1,183 L / T RSGC1 - F05 1,177 L / T EV Carinae 1,168 - 2,880 L / T RSGC1 - F03 1,168 L / T LMC 119219 1,150 RSGC1 - F08 1,146 L / T BC Cygni 1,140 - 1,230 L / T BC Cyg is calculated to vary in size from 856 R to 1,553 R. MY Cephei 1,134 L / T One of the coolest known red supergiants. SMC 10889 1,130 VX Sagittarii 1,120 - 1,550 L / T VX Sgr is a pulsating variable calculated to vary in size from 1,350 R to 1,940 R. LMC 141430 1,110 IRAS 04516 - 6902 1,100 L / T LMC 175746 1,100 RSGC1 - F13 1,098 L / T RT Carinae 1,090 L / T RSGC1 - F04 1,082 L / T LMC 174714 1,080 LMC 68125 1,080 SMC 49478 1,080 SMC 20133 1,080 V396 Centauri 1,070 L / T SMC 8930 1,070 Orbit of Jupiter 1,064 -- 1,173 Reported for reference HV 11423 1,060 -- 1,220 L / T HV 11423 is variable in spectral type ( observed from K0 to M5 ), thus probably also in diameter. In October 1978, it was a star of M0I type. CK Carinae 1,060 L / T SMC 25879 1,060 VV Cephei A 1,050 - 1,900 VV Cep A is a highly distorted star in a close binary system, losing mass to the secondary for at least part of its orbit. Data from the most recent eclipse has cast additional doubt on the accepted model of the system. It is among the largest stars visible to the naked eye. LMC 142202 1,050 LMC 146126 1,050 LMC 67982 1,040 U Lacertae 1,022 L / T RSGC1 - F11 1,015 L / T W Persei 1,011 L / T LMC 143877 1,010 KW Sagittarii 1,009 - 1,460 AD & L / T Margin of possible error : ± 142 R. RSGC1 - F12 1,005 L / T Progenitor of SN 2017eaw 1,000 -- 2,000 Localed in NGC 6946 SMC 46497 990 LMC 140296 990 RSGC1 - F09 986 L / T NR Vulpeculae 980 L / T SMC 12322 980 LMC 177997 980 SMC 59803 970 Westerlund 1 - 20 965 L / T GCIRS 7 960 -- 1,000 AD At the galactic center. Margin of possible error : ± 92 R or ± 150 R. Betelgeuse ( Alpha Orionis ) 7002955000000000000 ♠ 955 ± 217 AD Star with the third largest apparent size after R Doradus and the Sun. Other estimates range from 887 ± 203 R to 1,180 R SMC 50840 950 J004424. 94 + 412322.3 945 -- 1,300 L / T Located in the Andromeda Galaxy. RSGC1 - F10 931 L / T S Cassiopeiae 930 IX Carinae 920 L / T HV 2112 916 L / T Most likely candidate for a Thorne - Zytkow Object. RSGC1 - F07 910 L / T LMC 54365 900 IRAS 04498 - 6842 900 -- 1,660 L / T NSV 25875 891 L / T LMC 109106 890 RSGC1 - F06 885 L / T LMC 116895 880 SMC 30616 880 LMC 64048 880 IRAS 05558 - 7000 880 L / T V437 Scuti 874 L / T IRAS 04407 - 7000 870 L / T IRAS 05329 - 6708 870 L / T V602 Carinae 860 -- 1,050 L / T & AD Margin of possible error : ± 165 R. J004047. 82 + 410936.4 860 L / T Localed in the Andromeda Galaxy J004428. 71 + 420601.6 860 L / T Localed in the Andromeda Galaxy V669 Cassiopeiae 859 L / T SMC 55681 850 SMC 15510 850 LMC 61753 830 LMC 62090 830 SMC 11709 830 V1185 Scorpii 830 L / T LMC 142199 810 IRAS 05294 - 7104 810 L / T IRAS 05402 - 6956 800 L / T LMC 134383 800 Eta Carinae A ( Tseen She ) 800 Previously thought to be the most massive single star, but in 2005 it was realized to be a binary system. During the Great Eruption, the size was as large as 1,400 R. V441 Persei 799 L / T BU Persei 795 L / T IRAS 05298 - 6957 790 L / T BO Carinae 790 L / T LMC 142907 790 J004359. 94 + 411330.9 785 L / T Localed in the Andromeda Galaxy SU Persei 780 L / T In the Perseus Double Cluster RS Persei 770 -- 1,000 AD & L / T In the Perseus Double Cluster. Margin of possible error : ± 30 R. AV Persei 770 L / T In the Perseus Double Cluster V355 Cephei 770 L / T Mauron et al. 2011 derive 37,000 L, which implies a size around 300 R. J004124. 80 + 411634.7 760 L / T Localed in the Andromeda Galaxy V915 Scorpii 760 L / T S Cephei 760 AD YZ Persei 758 L / T J004447. 08 + 412801.7 755 L / T Localed in the Andromeda Galaxy GP Cassiopeiae 751 L / T Outer limits of the asteroid belt 750 -- 900 Reported for reference SMC 11939 750 HD 303250 750 L / T V382 Carinae 747 The brightest yellow hypergiant in the night sky, one of the rarest types of star. Other estimate ranges of 600 R to 1,100 R. RU Virginis 740 L / T LMC 137818 740 SMC 48122 740 IRAS 04545 - 7000 730 L / T IRAS 05003 - 6712 730 L / T SMC 56732 730 KK Persei 724 L / T V648 Cassiopeiae 710 L / T XX Persei 710 L / T Located in the Perseus Double Cluster and near the border with Andromeda. TV Geminorum 620 -- 710 ( -- 770 ) L / T HD 179821 704 A yellow hypergiant, although most authors consider it as a supergiant, a protoplanetary nebula or a post-AGB star with a luminosity of only 16,000 L. J004255. 95 + 404857.5 700 L / T Localed in the Andromeda Galaxy J003950. 98 + 405422.5 700 L / T Localed in the Andromeda Galaxy LMC 169754 700 LMC 65558 700 V528 Carinae 700 L / T RSGC1 - F14 700 L / T The following well - known stars are listed for the purpose of comparison. V354 Cephei 690 - 1,520 L / T Antares A ( Alpha Scorpii A ) 680 AD This star appears to vary its size by 165 R. Older estimates have given radii over 800 R, but some are likely to have been affected by asymmetry of the atmosphere and the narrow range of infrared wavelengths observed. HR 5171 Ab 7002650000000000000 ♠ 650 ± 150 AD Companion of HR 5171 A. CE Tauri 587 -- 593 ( -- 608 ) AD Second reddest star in the night sky. Can be occulted by the Moon, allowing accurate determination of its apparent diameter. CW Leonis 500 -- 700 L / T CW Leonis is one of the mistaken identities as the claimed planet `` Nibiru '' or `` Planet X '', due to its brightness as it approaches 1st magnitude. Other estimates range from 390 R to 826 R. Rho Cassiopeiae 400 -- 500 Yellow hypergiant, one of the rarest types of a star. R Leporis ( Hind 's `` Crimson Star '' ) 400 -- 535 Margin of possible error : ± 90 R. V509 Cassiopeiae 400 -- 900 Yellow hypergiant, one of the rarest types of a star. Inner limits of the asteroid belt 380 Reported for reference V838 Monocerotis 380 ( in 2009 ) A short time after the outburst V838 Mon was measured at 1,570 ± 400 R. However the distance to this `` L - type supergiant '', and hence its size, have since been reduced and it proved to be a transient object that shrunk about four-fold over a few years. Like CW Leo, it has been erroneously portrayed as `` Nibiru '' or `` Planet X '' ( see above ). R Doradus 7002370000000000000 ♠ 370 ± 50 Star with the second largest apparent size after the Sun. Tail of Comet Hyakutake 360 Reported for reference IRC + 10420 357 -- 1,342 L / T A yellow hypergiant that has increased its temperature into the LBV range. The Pistol Star 340 Blue hypergiant, among the most massive and luminous stars known. Mira A ( Omicron Ceti ) 332 -- 402 AD Prototype Mira variable. De beck et al. 2010 calculates 541 R. La Superba ( Y Canum Venaticorum ) 307 -- 390 L / T Referred to as La Superba by Angelo Secchi. Currently one of the coolest and reddest stars. Orbit of Mars 297 -- 358 Reported for reference Alpha Herculis ( Ras Algethi ) 7002284000000000000 ♠ 284 ± 60 The estimate ranges from 264 R to 303 R Sun 's red giant phase 256 The core hydrogen would be exhausted in 5.4 billion years. In 7.9 billion years, The Sun would reach the tip of the red - giant branch of the Hertzsprung -- Russell diagram. ( see below ) Reported for reference Orbit of Earth 215 ( 211 -- 219 ) Reported for reference Deneb ( Alpha Cygni ) 7002203000000000000 ♠ 203 ± 17 Prototype Alpha Cygni variable. Solar System Habitable Zone 200 -- 520 ( uncertain ) Reported for reference Orbit of Venus 154 -- 157 Reported for reference Epsilon Aurigae A ( Almaaz ) 143 -- 358 ε Aur was incorrectly claimed in 1970 as the largest star with a size between 2,000 R and 3,000 R, even though it later turned out not to be an infrared light star but rather a dusk torus surrounding the system. S Doradus 100 -- 380 Prototype S Doradus variable, even though P Cygni was the first discovered. Peony Star 92 Candidate for most luminous star in the Milky Way. Rigel A ( Beta Orionis A ) 78.9 -- 115 Margin of possible error : ± 7.4 R. Canopus ( Alpha Carinae ) 7001710000000000000 ♠ 71 ± 4 Second brightest star in the night sky. Orbit of Mercury 66 -- 100 Reported for reference LBV 1806 - 20 45 -- 145 L / T Formerly a candidate for the most luminous star in the Milky Way with 40 million L, but the luminosity has been revised later only 2 -- 5 million L. Aldebaran ( Alpha Tauri ) 7001441300000000000 ♠ 44.13 ± 0.84 AD Polaris ( Alpha Ursae Minoris ) 37.5 The current northern pole star. R136a1 28.8 -- 35.4 Also on record as the most massive and luminous star known ( 265 - 315 M and 8.71 million L ). Arcturus ( Alpha Boötis ) 7001254000000000000 ♠ 25.4 ± 0.2 Brightest star in the northern hemisphere. HDE 226868 20 -- 22 The supergiant companion of black hole Cygnus X-1. The black hole is 500,000 times smaller than the star. VV Cephei B 13 -- 25 The B - type main sequence companion of VV Cephei A. Sun 's helium burning phase 10 After the red - giant branch the Sun has approximately 120 million years of active life left. Reported for reference Sun The largest object in the Solar System. Reported for reference Jump up ^ AD : radius determined from angular diameter and distance L / T : radius calculated from bolometric luminosity and effective temperature See also Star portal Constellation Lists of stars List of most massive stars List of most luminous stars List of hottest stars List of coolest stars List of most massive black holes List of largest nebulae List of largest galaxies List of largest cosmic structures List of largest exoplanets List of star extremes References ^ Jump up to : Table 4 in Levesque, Emily M. ; Massey, Philip ; Olsen, K.A.G. ; Plez, Bertrand ; Josselin, Eric ; Maeder, Andre ; Meynet, Georges ( 2005 ). `` The Effective Temperature Scale of Galactic Red Supergiants : Cool, but Not as Cool as We Thought ''. The Astrophysical Journal. 628 ( 2 ) : 973 -- 985. arXiv : astro - ph / 0504337. 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Question: which is the largest sun in the universe
Answer: UY Scuti