Mothra, or EMO J041608.838-240358.60, is a
binary system
A binary system is a system of two astronomical bodies of the same kind that are comparable in size. Definitions vary, but typically require the center of mass to be located outside of either object. (See animated examples.)
The most common ki ...
with a possible transient,
[ in the constellation of Eridanus. Mothra is in one of the strongly lensed galaxies behind the galaxy cluster MACS J0416.1-2403, nicknamed the "Christmas Tree Galaxy Cluster".][
]
Location
The Mothra system is located at redshift z = 2.091 or about 10.5 billion light years away, and is notable for being one of the most distant star systems ever discovered.[
The Mothra system is located in is LS1. LS1 is believed to be and is classified as a ]dwarf galaxy
A dwarf galaxy is a small galaxy composed of about 1000 up to several billion stars, as compared to the Milky Way's 200–400 billion stars. The Large Magellanic Cloud, which closely orbits the Milky Way and contains over 30 billion stars, is so ...
or globular cluster
A globular cluster is a spheroidal conglomeration of stars that is bound together by gravity, with a higher concentration of stars towards its center. It can contain anywhere from tens of thousands to many millions of member stars, all orbiting ...
.
LS1 and the Mothra system are behind the galaxy cluster MACS J0416.1-2403, and they used to same galaxy cluster as a gravitational lens to discover LS1 and Mothra.
Physical properties
Mothra consists of two supergiant stars, a yellow supergiant/hypergiant? and a blue supergiant. As of 2025, the orbital characteristics of the Mothra system is unknown.[
The primary component of the Mothra system is classified as a yellow supergiant or ]yellow hypergiant
A yellow hypergiant (YHG) is a massive star with an extended atmosphere, a spectral class from A to K, and, starting with an initial mass of about 20–60 solar masses, has lost as much as half that mass. They are amongst the most visually lumino ...
.
Mothra A has a size of , a luminosity of , a temperature of 5,250 K, and has an initial mass of .[
The secondary component of the Mothra system is classified as a blue supergiant.
Mothra B has a size of , a luminosity of , and a temperature of 14,000 K. ][
]
See also
* Godzilla (star), another kaiju star.
References
Further reading
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{{Eridanus (constellation)
Binary systems
Eridanus (constellation)