Dying White Dwarf Paints Space with Vibrant Shockwaves, Puzzles Scientists
Science
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Moneycontrol•14-01-2026, 13:41
Dying White Dwarf Paints Space with Vibrant Shockwaves, Puzzles Scientists
- •Astronomers observed a white dwarf producing a vivid, multicoloured bow shockwave in the constellation Auriga, 730 light-years away.
- •The white dwarf is part of a tight binary system with a low-mass red dwarf, orbiting every 80 minutes.
- •The shockwave, visible in red (hydrogen), green (nitrogen), and blue (oxygen), is formed as fast-moving material collides with interstellar gas.
- •Scientists are puzzled by the outflow of material creating the shockwave, as this white dwarf lacks a surrounding gas disc, unlike similar systems.
- •The shockwave's longevity (at least 1,000 years) suggests sustained energy release, offering a unique case for studying stellar remnants.
Why It Matters: A dying white dwarf's vibrant shockwave challenges understanding of binary star systems and stellar evolution.
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