Pistol Star
The Pistol Star (V4647 Sgr) is a blue hypergiant in the Quintuplet Cluster near the galactic center. It is among the most luminous known stars and is surrounded by the Pistol Nebula.
astronomy.stars
Metrics
Category
Luminous Blue Variable (LBV) / Blauer Hyperriese.
Diameter
Approx. 306–435 solar radii depending on luminosity model.
Mass
Evolutionary model estimate. Initial mass possibly 200–250 M☉.
Surface Temperature
Effective temperature approx. 11,800–12,000 K.
Relations
The Pistol Star has approx. 1,600,000–3,300,000 times the luminosity of the Sun.
Factor: 2000000 Sonnenleuchtkräfte · Direction: A_gt_B
Explanations
The Pistol Star (V4647 Sgr) is a blue hypergiant in the Quintuplet Cluster and one of the brightest stars we know of. With a luminosity of about 1.6 to 3.3 million times that of our Sun, it is incredibly powerful. Its surface temperature of 12,000 K and mass of roughly 86–92 solar masses make it an extreme stellar object surrounded by the spectacular Pistol Nebula.
Sources
Grundlegendes Paper zur Physik des Pistolensterns. The Astrophysical Journal 506(1), 384–404.
Hubble-Beobachtungen des Quintuplet-Haufens mit dem Pistolenstern.
Related Cards
Provenance
Status
seed
Review
none
Last Updated
2026-02-17