Stars vary greatly, ranging from small to enormous, with some being colossal. While our sun appears immense from Earth, it is relatively small compared to the largest stars in the Milky Way galaxy. Among the ten biggest stars are red supergiants like VY Canis Majoris and Betelgeuse, which are thousands of times larger than the sun. Other giants include UY Scuti and Antares, which are notable for their size and brightness. These massive stars illustrate our galaxy’s incredible diversity and scale of celestial bodies.
10: Antares

Antares, a red supergiant located about 550 light years away, is one of the largest stars in the Milky Way. It’s roughly 832 times larger than the sun. Antares would extend past Mars and reach Jupiter if placed in our solar system. The star is at least 70,000 times brighter than the sun and has a mass of 12 times greater. When Antares eventually ends its life, it will likely explode as a supernova and could become either a neutron star or a black hole.
9: Betelgeuse

Betelgeuse is a well-known star in the Milky Way and is one of the few stars besides our sun whose surface has been photographed. Located about 640 light-years away in the constellation Orion, Betelgeuse has a diameter approximately 887 times larger than the sun. As it nears the end of its life, Betelgeuse is expected to explode in a supernova within the next 100,000 years.
8: KW Saggittarii

KW Sagittarii is a massive supergiant star located about 6,200 light-years away in the constellation Sagittarius. With a diameter roughly 1,009 times larger than the sun, it stands out as one of the largest stars in the Milky Way. KW Sagittarii is also incredibly bright, about 200,000 times brighter than the sun.
7: VV Cephei A

VV Cephei A is a red supergiant star situated about 5,000 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus. As part of a binary star system, it has a significantly smaller companion star. VV Cephei A is approximately 1,050 times larger than the sun, with some estimates suggesting it could be even bigger.
6: Mu Cephei

Mu Cephei, also known as the Garnet Star, is one of the largest stars visible to the naked eye. It is over 1,200 times the size of the sun and, if placed in our solar system, would extend beyond the orbit of Jupiter. Mu Cephei is nearly 300,000 times brighter than the sun, making it one of the brightest red supergiant stars in the Milky Way.
5: KY Cygni

KY Cygni is a red supergiant star located in the constellation Cygnus, about 5,000 light years away. It is 1,430 times larger than the sun and 273,000 times brighter. Despite its immense brightness, KY Cygni is not visible to the naked eye because it is obscured by a dense cloud of hydrogen that blocks much of its light.
4: V354 Cephei

V354 Cephei is a red supergiant star located in the constellation Cepheus, approximately 8,900 light years away. It measures about 1,520 times larger than the sun, making it one of the largest stars in the Milky Way. V354 Cephei is also incredibly bright, with a luminosity over 400,000 times greater than the sun’s.
3: RW Cephei

RW Cephei is a yellow hypergiant star in the constellation Cepheus, about 3,500 light years away. It is estimated to be 1,530 times larger than the sun, which means it extends beyond the orbit of Jupiter.
2: VY Canis Majoris

VY Canis Majoris is one of the largest and brightest stars ever observed. Located about 3,900 light-years away in the constellation Canis Major, it is more than 1,500 times the size of the sun and has a mass roughly 60 times greater than the sun. Its brightness is about 400,000 times that of the sun. As a young hypergiant star, VY Canis Majoris is estimated to be less than ten million years old.
1: UY Scuti

UY Scuti is the largest known star in our galaxy and one of the biggest ever discovered. It is over 1,700 times the size of the sun, and you could fit more than 5 billion suns inside it. Despite its enormous size, UY Scuti is only about ten times as massive as the sun and shines 100,000 times brighter. As it nears the end of its life, UY Scuti has expanded to its massive size. Eventually, it will explode in a supernova and likely leave behind a neutron star or black hole.
Conclusion
The Milky Way is home to some truly enormous stars, each showcasing the diversity and grandeur of our galaxy. From the immense UY Scuti, which is over 1,700 times the size of the sun, to the powerful Betelgeuse and Antares, these giants offer a glimpse into the vast scale of the cosmos. These stars, including VY Canis Majoris and Mu Cephei, highlight the incredible range of stellar sizes and luminosities, demonstrating that even within our galaxy, there are celestial objects of staggering magnitude. As our understanding of these stars evolves, they continue to captivate and inspire, revealing the awe-inspiring scale of the universe.
FAQs
Q1: What is the largest star in the Milky Way?
Ans: UY Scuti is the largest known star in the Milky Way. It is over 1,700 times the size of the sun, making it one of the biggest stars ever discovered in the universe.
Q2: How big is Antares compared to the sun?
Ans: Antares is about 832 times larger than the sun. If placed at the center of our solar system, it would extend beyond the orbit of Mars and possibly reach Jupiter.
Q3: What makes Betelgeuse a significant star?
Ans: Betelgeuse is notable for its massive size, approximately 887 times the sun’s diameter. It is also one of the few stars whose surface has been directly imaged.
Q4: Where is KW Sagittarii located, and how large is it?
Ans: KW Sagittarii is located in the constellation Sagittarius, about 6,200 light years away. It has a diameter around 1,009 times larger than the sun.
Q5: How does VV Cephei A compare to other stars in size?
Ans: VV Cephei A is a red supergiant star about 1,050 times larger than the sun. It is part of a binary system with a much smaller companion.
Q6: What is unique about Mu Cephei?
Ans: Mu Cephei is one of the largest stars visible to the naked eye, with a diameter over 1,200 times that of the sun. It is also nearly 300,000 times brighter than the sun.
Q7: Why is KY Cygni not visible despite its size?
Ans: KY Cygni, located in the constellation Cygnus, is about 1,430 times larger than the sun. It is not visible to the naked eye because it is hidden behind a dense cloud of hydrogen that blocks its light.
Q8: How luminous is V354 Cephei?
Ans: V354 Cephei is around 1,520 times the size of the sun and is one of the brightest stars in the Milky Way, with a luminosity over 400,000 times greater than the sun.
Q9: What is notable about RW Cephei?
Ans: RW Cephei is a yellow hypergiant star in the constellation Cepheus, roughly 1,530 times larger than the sun. It is larger than the orbit of Jupiter.
Q10: What are the characteristics of VY Canis Majoris?
Ans: VY Canis Majoris is a hypergiant star with a diameter over 1,500 times that of the sun. It has a mass of about 60 times the sun and shines approximately 400,000 times brighter. It is located in the constellation Canis Majoris, around 3,900 light years away.