Brief reminder of Part 1 (without mistake ) : Our Sun is of average size compared with the other stars in the universe . Until now , it has been difficult to distinguish the largest stars , because they are so close together but so far from the Earth . The particularities of two stars (Sirius and Pollux ) were discussed with reference to the Suniny . particles that clump together . Gravity increases their volume by attracting more matter . ANTARES (Alpha Scorpii ) is a double star in the constellation of Scorpius . The two stars , with completly different characteristics , are separate by at least 80 billion km , more than 500 times the distance from the Earth to the Sun . Other estimates put this distance at more than 110 billion km (750 times ) . Antares A is a red giant super . It is a massive star , estimated to be between 15 and 18 times larger than the Sun , with a diameter approximately 600 to 800 times greater . It is between ten and fivteen million years old . Its temperature is around 3200 , degrees . Its surface would strech between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter in our solar system . It is also 10000 , time brighter than the Sun and 700 times larger . It is relatively cold and is in the final stage of its existence before going supernova . The supernova phenomenon ocurs when a star reaches the end of its life . This event is both rare and spectacular , manifesting itself in an explosion that releases an amount of energy almost equal to 10% of that emited by the entire galaxy , briefly becoming as bright as the full Moon . As a result , the final collapse of the entire star will begin . Antares B is another blue giant , five times larger and seven times more massive than the Sun , with a surface temperature in exces of 18000 , degrees , more than three times that of the Sun . It is not visible to the nake eye because it is drown out by the brightness of Antares A . These giant stars remind us just how vast and fascinating the universe really is !
