Stephenson 2-18 is a red supergiant star located in the constellation of Camelopardalis. It is one of the largest known stars in the universe, with a diameter estimated to be around 2,150 times that of the Sun.
The star was named after the American astronomer, Robert L. Stephenson, who discovered it in 2012. It is classified as a M-type star, indicating its cool temperature and red color.
Stephenson 2-18 is located approximately 18,000 light-years away from Earth, making it difficult to study in detail. However, astronomers have been able to determine its size and characteristics through various observational techniques.
Due to its enormous size, Stephenson 2-18 is believed to be in the final stages of its life cycle. It is expected to eventually explode in a supernova, releasing a tremendous amount of energy and leaving behind a dense remnant such as a neutron star or a black hole.
The study of Stephenson 2-18 and other massive stars is important for understanding the evolution and fate of stars, as well as the processes that occur in the universe.