List of stars with resolved images
Updated: 11/6/2025, 12:54:30 AM Wikipedia source
The following is a list of stars with resolved images, that is, stars whose images have been resolved beyond a point source. Aside from the Sun, observed from Earth, stars are exceedingly small in apparent size, requiring the use of special high-resolution equipment and techniques to image. For example, Betelgeuse, the first star other than the Sun to be resolved, has an angular diameter of only 50 milliarcseconds (mas).
Tables
List of stars with resolved images · List
Angular (mas)
Angular (mas)
Star
Angular (mas)
Sun
Sun
Star
Sun
Diameter
1900000
Diameter
1
Distance(ly)
0.0000158
First imager
Louis Fizeau and Léon Foucault
Year
1845
Altairα Aql
Altairα Aql
Star
Altairα Aql
Diameter
3.2
Diameter
1.66±0.01 (polar) 2.02±0.01 (equator)
Distance(ly)
16.77±0.08
First imager
CHARA array – MIRC
Year
2006
Rasalhagueα Oph A
Rasalhagueα Oph A
Star
Rasalhagueα Oph A
Diameter
1.62±0.03
Diameter
2.39±0.01 (polar)2.87±0.02 (equator)
Distance(ly)
48.6±0.8
First imager
CHARA array – MIRC
Year
2006
Alderaminα Cep
Alderaminα Cep
Star
Alderaminα Cep
Diameter
1.35±0.02 (polar) 1.75±0.03 (equator)
Diameter
2.20±0.04 (polar)2.74±0.04 (equator)
Distance(ly)
48.8±0.36
First imager
CHARA array – MIRC
Year
2006
Caphβ Cas
Caphβ Cas
Star
Caphβ Cas
Diameter
1.70±0.04
Diameter
3.1±0.1 (polar) 3.8±0.1 (equator)
Distance(ly)
54.7±0.3
First imager
CHARA array – MIRC
Year
2007
Regulusα Leo Aa
Regulusα Leo Aa
Star
Regulusα Leo Aa
Diameter
1.24±0.02
Diameter
3.2±0.1 (polar) 4.2±0.1 (equator)
Distance(ly)
79.3±0.7
First imager
CHARA array – MIRC
Year
2008
Algolβ Per Aa1
Algolβ Per Aa1
Star
Algolβ Per Aa1
Diameter
0.88±0.05
Diameter
4.13
Distance(ly)
93±2
First imager
CHARA array – MIRC
Year
2006
Notes
stationary object in the animation
β Per Aa2
β Per Aa2
Star
β Per Aa2
Diameter
3
Diameter
orbiting object in the animation
β Per Ab
β Per Ab
Star
β Per Ab
Diameter
0.9
First imager
Observed radius of Algol Ab is an instrumental artifact, caused by bandwidth smearing.Actual radius is 1.73 ± 0.33 R☉.
Alkaidη UMa
Alkaidη UMa
Star
Alkaidη UMa
Diameter
0.834±0.060
Diameter
2.86±0.21
Distance(ly)
103.9±0.8
First imager
CHARA array
Year
2012
σ Gem A
σ Gem A
Star
σ Gem A
Diameter
2.425
Diameter
10.1±0.4
Distance(ly)
126±2
First imager
CHARA array/MIRC
Year
2011
Notes
The star contains starspots on its surface
Markabα Peg
Markabα Peg
Star
Markabα Peg
Diameter
1.052±0.066
Diameter
4.62±0.29
Distance(ly)
133±1
First imager
CHARA array
Year
2012
Elnathβ Tau
Elnathβ Tau
Star
Elnathβ Tau
Diameter
1.09±0.076
Diameter
4.82±0.34
Distance(ly)
134±2
First imager
CHARA array
Year
2012
ζ And Aa
ζ And Aa
Star
ζ And Aa
Diameter
2.502±0.008
Diameter
15.0±0.8 (polar)
Distance(ly)
189±3
First imager
CFHT
Year
1996
Notes
First direct imaging of starspots on a star outside the Solar System.
R Dor
R Dor
Star
R Dor
Diameter
57±5
Diameter
370±50
Distance(ly)
204±9
First imager
New Technology Telescope
Year
1993
Notes
2nd largest known star by apparent diameter in Earth's sky, after the Sun.
Miraο Cet A
Miraο Cet A
Star
Miraο Cet A
Diameter
28.9–34.9
Diameter
332–402
Distance(ly)
420
First imager
Hubble – FOC
Year
1997
Polarisα UMi Aa
Polarisα UMi Aa
Star
Polarisα UMi Aa
Diameter
3.143±0.027
Diameter
46.27±0.42
Distance(ly)
446±1
First imager
CHARA array
Year
2024
T Lep
T Lep
Star
T Lep
Diameter
5.815 for molecular layer
Diameter
100
Distance(ly)
500
First imager
Very Large Telescope – VLTI/AMBER
Year
2009
π1 Gru
π1 Gru
Star
π1 Gru
Diameter
21
Diameter
370
Distance(ly)
535
First imager
Very Large Telescope – VLTI/PIONIER
Year
2017
Notes
First directly observed granulation patterns on a star's surface outside the Solar System.
Antaresα Sco A
Antaresα Sco A
Star
Antaresα Sco A
Diameter
41.3±0.1
Diameter
680
Distance(ly)
553
First imager
Very Large Telescope – VLTI/AMBER
Year
2017
R Car
R Car
Star
R Car
Diameter
10.23±0.05–13.77±0.14
Diameter
400–540
Distance(ly)
590±40
First imager
Very Large Telescope – PIONIER
Year
2014
Betelgeuseα Ori
Betelgeuseα Ori
Star
Betelgeuseα Ori
Diameter
50
Diameter
640–764
Distance(ly)
643±146
First imager
Hubble – GHRS
Year
1995
Notes
First star with a resolved image outside the Solar System.
Sheliakβ Lyr Aa
Sheliakβ Lyr Aa
Star
Sheliakβ Lyr Aa
Diameter
0.46
Diameter
6
Distance(ly)
960±50
First imager
CHARA array – MIRC
Year
2007
Notes
Both Aa1 and Aa2 are visible in the animation.
R Scl
R Scl
Star
R Scl
Diameter
8.9±0.3
Diameter
355±55
Distance(ly)
1180±140
First imager
Very Large Telescope – AMBER
Year
2017
θ1 Ori C
θ1 Ori C
Star
θ1 Ori C
Diameter
0.2
Diameter
10.6±1.5
Distance(ly)
1400
First imager
Very Large Telescope – AMBER
Year
2009
Notes
In the image, the right inset is θ1 Ori C and the left inset is θ1 Ori F.
θ1 Ori F
θ1 Ori F
Star
θ1 Ori F
Distance(ly)
Very Large Telescope – VLTI/GRAVITY
First imager
2016
ε Aur
ε Aur
Star
ε Aur
Diameter
2.22±0.10
Diameter
143–358
Distance(ly)
2000–4800
First imager
CHARA array – MIRC
Year
2009
Notes
Supergiant with an eclipsing companion surrounded by a massive, opaque debris disk
AZ Cyg
AZ Cyg
Star
AZ Cyg
Diameter
4.05±0.01
Diameter
911+57−50
Distance(ly)
6820+420−380
First imager
CHARA array – MIRC
Year
2011
SU Per
SU Per
Star
SU Per
Diameter
3.53±0.09
Diameter
1044+31−21–1139+34−23
Distance(ly)
7,250+470−420
First imager
CHARA array
Year
2015
ρ Cas
ρ Cas
Star
ρ Cas
Diameter
2.09±0.02
Diameter
564-700
Distance(ly)
8150±1630
First imager
CHARA array
Year
2024
RW Cep
RW Cep
Star
RW Cep
Diameter
2.45
Diameter
1100±44
Distance(ly)
11000+4600−2600–22000+5200−3300
First imager
CHARA array – MIRC-X and MYSTIC
Year
2022
Notes
Hypergiant star currently undergoing a great dimming event
HR 5171 Aa
HR 5171 Aa
Star
HR 5171 Aa
Diameter
4.1±0.8
Diameter
1060–1160
Distance(ly)
11740±1630
First imager
Very Large Telescope – VLTI/PIONIER
Year
2014
Notes
Eclipsing and potential contact binary yellow hypergiant
WOH G64
WOH G64
Star
WOH G64
Diameter
800
Distance(ly)
ca. 160 000
First imager
Very Large Telescope – VLTI/GRAVITY
Year
2024
Notes
Star is in the Large Magellanic Cloud. First resolved image of star outside of the Milky Way.
V602 Carinae
V602 Carinae
Star
V602 Carinae
First imager
Very Large Telescope – VLTI/PIONIER
Year
2022
| Star | Image | Diameter | Distance(ly) | First imager | Year | Notes | |
| Angular (mas) | Geometric (R☉) | ||||||
| Sun | | 1900000 | 1 | 0.0000158 | Louis Fizeau and Léon Foucault | 1845 | |
| Altairα Aql | | 3.2 | polar) 2.02±0.01 (equator) | 16.77±0.08 | CHARA array – MIRC | 2006 | |
| Rasalhagueα Oph A | 1.62±0.03 | polar)2.87±0.02 (equator) | 48.6±0.8 | CHARA array – MIRC | 2006 | ||
| Alderaminα Cep | polar) 1.75±0.03 (equator) | polar)2.74±0.04 (equator) | 48.8±0.36 | CHARA array – MIRC | 2006 | ||
| Caphβ Cas | 1.70±0.04 | polar) 3.8±0.1 (equator) | 54.7±0.3 | CHARA array – MIRC | 2007 | ||
| Regulusα Leo Aa | 1.24±0.02 | polar) 4.2±0.1 (equator) | 79.3±0.7 | CHARA array – MIRC | 2008 | ||
| Algolβ Per Aa1 | | 0.88±0.05 | 4.13 | 93±2 | CHARA array – MIRC | 2006 | stationary object in the animation |
| β Per Aa2 | 1.12±0.07 | 3 | orbiting object in the animation | ||||
| β Per Ab | 0.56±0.10 | 0.9 | Observed radius of Algol Ab is an instrumental artifact, caused by bandwidth smearing.Actual radius is 1.73 ± 0.33 R☉. | ||||
| Alkaidη UMa | 0.834±0.060 | 2.86±0.21 | 103.9±0.8 | CHARA array | 2012 | ||
| σ Gem A | 2.425 | 10.1±0.4 | 126±2 | CHARA array/MIRC | 2011 | The star contains starspots on its surface | |
| Markabα Peg | 1.052±0.066 | 4.62±0.29 | 133±1 | CHARA array | 2012 | ||
| Elnathβ Tau | 1.09±0.076 | 4.82±0.34 | 134±2 | CHARA array | 2012 | ||
| ζ And Aa | 2.502±0.008 | polar) | 189±3 | CFHT | 1996 | First direct imaging of starspots on a star outside the Solar System. | |
| R Dor | | 57±5 | 370±50 | 204±9 | New Technology Telescope | 1993 | 2nd largest known star by apparent diameter in Earth's sky, after the Sun. |
| Miraο Cet A | | 28.9–34.9 | 332–402 | 420 | Hubble – FOC | 1997 | |
| Polarisα UMi Aa | | 3.143±0.027 | 46.27±0.42 | 446±1 | CHARA array | 2024 | |
| T Lep | | for molecular layer | 100 | 500 | Very Large Telescope – VLTI/AMBER | 2009 | |
| π1 Gru | | 21 | 370 | 535 | Very Large Telescope – VLTI/PIONIER | 2017 | First directly observed granulation patterns on a star's surface outside the Solar System. |
| Antaresα Sco A | | 41.3±0.1 | 680 | 553 | Very Large Telescope – VLTI/AMBER | 2017 | |
| R Car | 10.23±0.05–13.77±0.14 | 400–540 | 590±40 | Very Large Telescope – PIONIER | 2014 | ||
| Betelgeuseα Ori | | 50 | 640–764 | 643±146 | Hubble – GHRS | 1995 | First star with a resolved image outside the Solar System. |
| Sheliakβ Lyr Aa | 0.46 | 6 | 960±50 | CHARA array – MIRC | 2007 | Both Aa1 and Aa2 are visible in the animation. | |
| R Scl | | 8.9±0.3 | 355±55 | 1180±140 | Very Large Telescope – AMBER | 2017 | |
| θ1 Ori C | | 0.2 | 10.6±1.5 | 1400 | Very Large Telescope – AMBER | 2009 | In the image, the right inset is θ1 Ori C and the left inset is θ1 Ori F. |
| θ1 Ori F | Very Large Telescope – VLTI/GRAVITY | 2016 | |||||
| ε Aur | 2.22±0.10 | 143–358 | 2000–4800 | CHARA array – MIRC | 2009 | Supergiant with an eclipsing companion surrounded by a massive, opaque debris disk | |
| AZ Cyg | 4.05±0.01 | 911+57−50 | 6820+420−380 | CHARA array – MIRC | 2011 | ||
| SU Per | 3.53±0.09 | 1044+31−21–1139+34−23 | 7,250+470−420 | CHARA array | 2015 | ||
| ρ Cas | | 2.09±0.02 | 564-700 | 8150±1630 | CHARA array | 2024 | |
| RW Cep | | 2.45 | 1100±44 | 11000+4600−2600–22000+5200−3300 | CHARA array – MIRC-X and MYSTIC | 2022 | Hypergiant star currently undergoing a great dimming event |
| HR 5171 Aa | | 4.1±0.8 | 1060–1160 | 11740±1630 | Very Large Telescope – VLTI/PIONIER | 2014 | Eclipsing and potential contact binary yellow hypergiant |
| WOH G64 | | 800 | ca. 160 000 | Very Large Telescope – VLTI/GRAVITY | 2024 | Star is in the Large Magellanic Cloud. First resolved image of star outside of the Milky Way. | |
| V602 Carinae | Very Large Telescope – VLTI/PIONIER | 2022 | |||||
References
- Published 2024 based on observations from 2014 and 2020
- First peer-reviewed publication in 2021, based on observations from 2011-2016
- Astronomical Journalhttps://doi.org/10.1086%2F300596
- NASAhttps://sunearthday.nasa.gov/2006/locations/firstphoto.php
- Sciencehttps://arxiv.org/abs/0706.0867
- The Astrophysical Journalhttps://arxiv.org/abs/0906.2241
- The Astrophysical Journalhttps://arxiv.org/abs/1105.0740
- The Astrophysical Journalhttps://arxiv.org/abs/1205.0754
- The Astrophysical Journalhttps://doi.org/10.3847%2F1538-4357%2Fab04b2
- The Astrophysical Journalhttps://doi.org/10.3847%2F1538-4357%2Faa8ef7
- Astronomy and Astrophysicshttps://arxiv.org/abs/1301.0445
- Naturehttps://arxiv.org/abs/1709.10107
- "The Biggest Star in the Sky"http://www.eso.org/public/news/eso9706/
- Astronomy & Astrophysicshttps://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0404248
- "Hubble Separates Stars in the Mira Binary System"http://web.archive.org/web/20221224053908/https://hubblesite.org/contents/news-releases/1997/news-1997-26.html
- The Astrophysical Journalhttps://doi.org/10.3847%2F1538-4357%2Fad5e7a
- "Hundred metre virtual telescope captures unique detailed colour image"http://www.eso.org/public/unitedkingdom/news/eso0906/
- J.-B. Le Bouquin, S. Lacour, S. Renard, E. Thiébaut, A. Merand, T. Verhoelst, Pre-maximum spectro-imaging of the Mira st
- Astronomy & Astrophysicshttps://arxiv.org/abs/2312.03467
- "Giant Bubbles on Red Giant Star's Surface"https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1741/
- Astronomy & Astrophysicshttps://arxiv.org/abs/1304.4800
- Astronomy and Astrophysicshttps://arxiv.org/abs/0708.1752
- "Astronomers Capture Best-Ever Image of Alien Star"https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/astronomers-capture-best-ever-image-of-alien-star
- "VLTI reconstructed view of the surface of Antares"https://www.eso.org/public/ireland/images/eso1726a/?lang
- Astronomy & Astrophysicshttps://doi.org/10.1051%2F0004-6361%2F202349112
- Astronomy & Astrophysicshttps://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2023/01/aa44924-22/aa44924-22.html
- The Astrophysical Journalhttps://doi.org/10.3847%2F1538-4357%2Fabb8db
- The Astrophysical Journalhttps://arxiv.org/abs/0808.0932
- Astronomy & Astrophysicshttps://doi.org/10.1051%2F0004-6361%2F201630214
- "The orbit of Theta1 Orionis C"https://www.eso.org/public/unitedkingdom/images/eso0906d/
- "First Light For Future Black Hole Probe"https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1601/
- The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Serieshttps://arxiv.org/abs/1508.01909
- Naturehttps://arxiv.org/abs/1004.2464
- The Astrophysical Journalhttps://doi.org/10.3847%2F1538-4357%2Fac0c7e
- "Student Science at NMT: Learning Optical Interferometry Through Projects on Evolved Stars"https://www.chara.gsu.edu/files/2023Meeting/Norris_NMT_Students_2023.pdf
- Seeing Stars Like Never Before: A Long-term Interferometric Imaging Survey of Red Supergiantshttps://scholarworks.gsu.edu/phy_astr_diss/118/
- The Astronomical Journalhttps://doi.org/10.3847%2F1538-3881%2Fabd806
- The Astrophysical Journalhttps://doi.org/10.3847%2F1538-4357%2Fad6b2b
- The Astrophysical Journal Lettershttps://doi.org/10.3847%2F2041-8213%2Fad736c
- The Astronomical Journalhttps://doi.org/10.3847%2F1538-3881%2Face59d
- Astronomy and Astrophysicshttps://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2019A&A...631A..48V/abstract
- Astronomy & Astrophysicshttps://arxiv.org/abs/1709.09430
- The dramatic transition of the extreme Red Supergiant WOH G64 to a Yellow Hypergianthttps://arxiv.org/abs/2411.19329
- Astronomy & Astrophysicshttps://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2024/11/aa51820-24/aa51820-24.html
- VLTI-PIONIER imaging of the red supergiant V602 Carinaehttp://arxiv.org/abs/2002.09243