Mira
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Mira is a binary star system in the constellation Cetus. It has the Bayer designation Omicron Ceti, which is Latinized from ο Ceti, and abbreviated Omicron Cet or ο Cet. The system consists of a varia
Mira imaged by European Southern Observatory
Mira at two different times
Mira as seen from the Earth
Mira in UV and visible light
Red giant
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A red giant is a luminous giant star of low or intermediate mass in a late phase of stellar evolution. The outer atmosphere is inflated and tenuous, making the radius large and the surface temperature
Mira
…It has the Bayer designation Omicron Ceti, which is Latinized from ο Ceti, and abbreviated Omicron Cet or ο Cet. The system consists of a variable red giant (Mira A) along with a white dwarf companion (Mira B). Mira A is a pulsating variable star and was the first non-supernova variable star discovered…
An illustration comparing the structure of the Sun (left) and its possible future as a red giant (right; not to scale, this image is of a false color for more contrast and does not depict stellar mass loss and the asymmetry of a red giant and the Sun is actually beige-white; an actual red giant would be orange-white to human eyes). The inset at the bottom right shows a size comparison.
This image tracks the life of a Sun-like star, from its birth on the left side of the frame to its evolution into a red giant on the right after billions of years
Mira A is an old star, already shedding its outer layers into space