LBV 1806-20 is an exceptionally luminous, massive star in our galaxy. Observational estimates place its radiative output at about 2,000,000 times that of the Sun, and its radius has been reported to exceed 1,100 times that of the Sun. These values are model-dependent and carry significant uncertainty because they rely on the assumed distance and the effects of interstellar extinction.
Physical characteristics
- Luminosity: Extremely high — among the most luminous stars known when measured in bolometric output.
- Size: Radius estimates are on the order of a thousand solar radii, making it vastly larger than typical massive stars.
- Classification: Identified as a very hot, blue supergiant and often treated as a luminous blue variable (LBV) candidate; precise spectral and evolutionary status remain topics of study.
Location and visibility
LBV 1806-20 lies in the direction of the Sagittarius constellation. Dense interstellar dust between the star and Earth blocks most visible light, so the object cannot be seen with the naked eye and is principally observed at infrared and longer wavelengths.
Because measurements depend on assumptions about distance and the amount of obscuring material, published numbers for luminosity, radius and mass vary between studies. Continued infrared and spectroscopic observations are used to refine those estimates and to clarify the star's evolutionary state.