In cosmic terms, Wolf-Rayet stars are short-lived. On a human scale, they’re practically eternal, lasting hundreds of thousands of years before ending in a dramatic and powerful explosion.

Astronomers say that this unique star system seems to be rotating so fast it’s practically ripping itself apart. As such, Apep’s final explosion is expected to be extremely powerful. But unlike the evil mythological Egyptian god, which could never be vanquished, not even by its arch enemy Ra, this cosmic serpent is destined to be defeated someday. At that point it will go out with a bang, literally, unlike any other.

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