Strange “Binary Star” Discovered in Constellation Cygnus
Astronomers Find Unique Double-Faced Star
A team of astronomers has made a groundbreaking discovery, uncovering a “binary star” unlike anything seen before. This peculiar star, located in the constellation Cygnus over 1,000 light years away from Earth, earned the nickname “Janus” after the Roman god of gates and transitions, known for his two faces.
What makes Janus truly fascinating is its unprecedented composition. Typically, white dwarfs, the final phase of stars with lower mass, contain uniform elements. However, Janus exhibits a striking dichotomy, with one side composed almost entirely of hydrogen gas and the other predominantly consisting of helium gas. This is the first known naturally occurring double-sided star, according to the research team led by Dr. Ilaria Chiasso, an astrophysicist at Caltech.
Upon making this astonishing discovery, Dr. Chiasso expressed her amazement, stating, “One side of the face of this white dwarf is completely different from the other.”
Possible Explanations and Theories
Astronomers have yet to determine the exact cause for Janus’s unique appearance. One theory suggests that Janus may be undergoing a rare transformation process during its evolution as a white dwarf. The typically strong gravitational field of white dwarfs leads to heavier elements sinking towards the core while lighter elements rise to the surface. This phenomenon often results in a two-tiered atmosphere, with helium underneath and a thin layer of hydrogen above.
However, the team points out that this transition should occur uniformly across the star’s surface rather than being confined to one side. To explain this peculiarity, Dr. Chiasso speculates that an asymmetric magnetic field could be responsible. She suggests, “The magnetic field around Janus may not be asymmetric or stronger on one side… If the magnetic field on one side is stronger, that side has less mixing and more hydrogen.”
Another theory regarding the magnetic field posits that it could affect the pressure and density of the star’s atmosphere, enabling hydrogen to form where the magnetic field is most intense. James Fuller, a professor of theoretical astrophysics at Caltech, supports this hypothesis.
Promising Future Research
The research team is eager to investigate similar white dwarfs that resemble Janus to gain further insight into this enigma. By studying these extraordinary celestial objects, astronomers hope to uncover more about the mysterious processes occurring within these remnants of dying stars.
For the full research, click here.
Sources:
Phys.org / The Guardian
Image courtesy of K. Miller, Caltech/IPAC.
A team of astronomers reported that they had found a “binary star”, a white dwarf with hydrogen on one side. But the other side is helium on the whole side.
Astronomers report the discovery of a strange star that is like “Two Faced Star”
as it iswhite dwarf (White Dwarf) or the last phase of most stars with less mass But unlike normal white dwarfs, One side of the star is almost entirely made up of hydrogen gas. But on the other hand, it contains helium gas. This was the first time astronomers had discovered a naturally double-sided star.
Dr said. Ilaria Chiasso, Caltech astrophysicist who led the discovery team: “One side of the face of this white dwarf is completely different from the other. They were amazed.”
The double-faced star, located more than 1,000 light years from Earth, is in the constellation Cygnus. earned the nickname “January” (Janus) It was named after the Roman god of gates and transitions. which is a god with two faces
Scientists find evidence The world has already entered the “Anthropocene” era!
Found a planet outside the solar system “reflects the most light” is not different from a mirror.
Astronomers have found one proof. the universe can “time dilate”
The official scientific name is ZTF J203349.8+322901.1. It was first discovered by the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), a sky-scanning instrument from Caltech’s Palomar Observatory near San Diego.
The discovery was made while Chiasso was studying white dwarfs in space until he stumbled upon a white dwarf that stood out from the rest. due to the rapid change in brightness
After further observation, he found that Janus rotates around itself every 15 minutes. or optical measurements to analyze which substances on distant stars contain them “One side of the star is almost entirely hydrogen. and the other side is almost entirely helium.”
If you look closely Both sides of the star are blue and have a similar brightness. But on the helium side, it looks like a small patch, like our Sun. while the hydrogen side looks smoother.
Astronomers have not been able to find a definitive explanation for that. Why does Janus look like this? One theory is that Janus may be undergoing a rare transformation process. This is predicted to happen during the evolution of a white dwarf.
White dwarfs generally have strong gravitational fields. This causes heavier elements to be drawn into the core and lighter elements to float. This often creates a two-tiered atmosphere. with helium at the bottom covered with a thin layer of hydrogen, the lightest element
As the star cools below about 30,000 degrees Celsius, its thicker helium layer begins to change. Causing the outer hydrogen layer to mix, dilute and mix until it disappears
“The surface of some white dwarfs can be transferred from hydrogen to helium … We may find white dwarfs being transferred in this way,” said Chiasso.
However, this transition should occur simultaneously across the face of the planet. It’s not just one side of the face. The research team believe that this may be the result of an asymmetric magnetic field.
“The magnetic field around Janus may not be asymmetric. or stronger on one side … and the magnetic field can prevent the mixing of elements. Therefore, if the magnetic field on one side is stronger, That side has less mixing and more hydrogen,” explained Chiasso.
Another theory proposed by the research team is that magnetic fields can change the pressure and density of gases in the atmosphere.
James Fuller, one of the researchers Professor of Theoretical Astrophysics at Caltech And this could allow hydrogen to form where the magnetic field is most intense.”
to solve this puzzle The research team hopes to find more Janus-like white dwarfs.
Read the full research here
Compiled from Phys.org / The Guardian
Image courtesy of K. Miller, Caltech/IPAC.
#world #astronomy #amazing #twofaced #star #universe #PPTVHD36
