More amazing astronomical occurrences
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*A star has been sent hurtling across the galaxy after undergoing a partial supernova, astronomers say.
A supernova is a powerful explosion that occurs when some stars reach the ends of their lives; in this case, the blast was not sufficient to destroy it.
Instead, it sent the star hurtling through space at 900,000 km/hr.
Astronomers think the object, known as a white dwarf, was originally circling another star, which would have been sent flying in the opposite direction.
When two stars orbit each other like this, they are described as a "binary". Only one of the stars has been detected by astronomers, however.
The object, known as SDSS J1240+6710, was previously found to have an unusual atmospheric composition.
Discovered in 2015, it seemed to contain neither hydrogen nor helium (which are usually found), appearing to be composed instead of an unusual mix of oxygen, neon, magnesium and silicon.*
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@89th said in More amazing astronomical occurrences:
Cool, so whoever had "hit by a star in December" on their 2020 bingo card might win.
I had "President poses with cans of beans. Is declared genius".
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@89th said in More amazing astronomical occurrences:
Cool, so whoever had "hit by a star in December" on their 2020 bingo card might win.
I had "President poses with cans of beans. Is declared genius".
@Doctor-Phibes Next round is on Phibes!
