Picking the All-Stars: Actual Stars Edition

Over the last couple days, Dave Cameron has submitted what he considers to be the most reasonably constructed rosters for both the American League and National League’s All-Star teams, respectively. What follows is the author’s own version of that same exercise — except for actual stars in the universe.

Here are the author’s choices for the All-Star Star team, by luminosity classification:

Supergiant: R136a1
Discovered by British scientists in 2010. Most massive and also most luminous star known. One weakness: part of decidedly substandard constellation.

Bright Giant: Alpha Herculis (or, Rasalgethi)
Plays vital role in one of night sky’s top constellations. Otherwise, merely best star in weak luminosity class.

Giant: Hatsya
Actually a double-star system, both giants. Along with c and Theta, forms sword in Orion’s belt. Brightest of those three stars.

Subgiant: Procyon
Has played considerable role in numerous works of fiction — largely based on possibility of supporting life. Has nearly fused its core hydrogen into helium, meaning will depart from subgiant class sooner than later.

Dwarf: The Sun
King of the main-sequence stars, itself a challenging classification. Supports ton of life. Dangerous to Irish people.

Subdwarf: 2MASS 0532+8246
Report of discovery published in 2003 by Burgasser et al. Full designation is 2MASS J05325346+8246465. Possibly first halo brown dwarf and first substellar subdwarf.

White Dwarf: 40 Eridani B
Discovered in 1783 by William Herschel, is oldest known white dwarf. Still easiest white dwarf to observe. Companion star 40 Eridani A is candidate to support life.