Zeta Ophiuchi

Zeta Ophiuchi is the closest O-type star to the Sun at nearly 400 light years away. It is over 8 times wider than the Sun and appears to be travelling fast through space. This could be because it was blasted by a supernova explosion. The fast motion of Zeta Ophiuchi created a bow shock, or shaped gas, around it as it travels through space.

Zeta Ophiuchi is the bright blue star in the center. On the left, in red, is its bow shock.