The biggest stars in the universe are truly colossal—far larger and more luminous than our Sun. Here's an overview of the largest known stars, categorized by type and size:

1. UY Scuti

• Type: Red Supergiant

• Radius: ~1,700 times the Sun’s radius

• Location: Scutum constellation

• Facts: Once considered the largest known star by radius. If placed at the center of our solar system, its surface would extend past the orbit of Jupiter.

2. VY Canis Majoris

• Type: Red Hypergiant

• Radius: ~1,500 times the Sun’s radius

• Location: Canis Major constellation

• Facts: Extremely massive and luminous. Famous for its enormous size and irregular brightness changes.

3. RW Cephei

• Type: Yellow Hypergiant

• Radius: ~1,500 times the Sun

• Location: Cepheus constellation

• Facts: Known for its large size and instability, often varying in brightness.

4. Westerlund 1-26

• Type: Red Supergiant

• Radius: ~1,530–2,000 times the Sun

• Location: Westerlund 1 star cluster

• Facts: One of the most massive and luminous red supergiants known.

5. Betelgeuse

• Type: Red Supergiant

• Radius: ~950–1,200 times the Sun

• Location: Orion constellation

• Facts: Visible to the naked eye. Expected to go supernova within the next 100,000 years.

6. Antares

• Type: Red Supergiant

• Radius: ~700 times the Sun

• Location: Scorpius constellation

• Facts: Sometimes called the “heart of the scorpion.” Has a faint blue companion star.

7. V354 Cephei

• Type: Red Supergiant

• Radius: ~1,520 times the Sun

• Location: Cepheus constellation

• Facts: One of the largest known stars by radius.

8. Mu Cephei (Herschel’s Garnet Star)

• Type: Red Supergiant

• Radius: ~1,260 times the Sun

• Location: Cepheus constellation

• Facts: Known for its deep red color, visible even to the naked eye.

Honorable Mentions – Luminous Blue Variables and Wolf-Rayet Stars:

These stars, such as Eta Carinae and WR 102, may not be the largest by radius, but they are among the most massive and luminous, and play a key role in the evolution of galaxies.

Key Notes:

• Size vs. Mass: A star may be huge in radius but not necessarily the most massive.

• Life Span: These massive stars burn through fuel rapidly and end their lives in supernovae or as black holes.

• Visibility: Many are so far away that they can only be studied via advanced telescopes and spectroscopy.