<P> VY CMa is a single star with a large infrared ( IR ) excess , making it one of the brightest objects in the sky at wavelengths of between 5 and 20 microns ( μm ) and indicating a dust shell or disk heated by the star . It is about 7001170000000000000 ♠ 17 ± 8 times the mass of the Sun ( M ) . It is also surrounded by a complex asymmetric circumstellar envelope ( CSE ) caused by mass loss from the star itself . It produces strong molecular maser emission and was one of the first radio masers discovered . VY CMa is embedded within the large molecular cloud Sharpless 310 ( Sh2 - 310 ) , one of largest star - forming H ii region with a diameter of 480 arcminutes ( ' ) or 681 ly ( 209 pc ) . </P>
<P> VY CMa is a single star with a large infrared ( IR ) excess , making it one of the brightest objects in the sky at wavelengths of between 5 and 20 microns ( μm ) and indicating a dust shell or disk heated by the star . It is about 7001170000000000000 ♠ 17 ± 8 times the mass of the Sun ( M ) . It is also surrounded by a complex asymmetric circumstellar envelope ( CSE ) caused by mass loss from the star itself . It produces strong molecular maser emission and was one of the first radio masers discovered . VY CMa is embedded within the large molecular cloud Sharpless 310 ( Sh2 - 310 ) , one of largest star - forming H ii region with a diameter of 480 arcminutes ( ' ) or 681 ly ( 209 pc ) . </P>
how many times bigger is vy canis majoris than our sun
how many times bigger is vy canis majoris than our sun
17 ± 8 times the mass of the Sun ( M )
17 ± 8 times the mass of the Sun ( M )