Astronomers discover first ever green star

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 14:44 · Archive

Astronomers have identified the first green star, a white dwarf named WD J1330+6435.

Astronomers at the University of Warwick have discovered the first ever credible green star, a white dwarf named WD J1330+6435. The discovery challenges previous understanding of white dwarves, the dense stellar remnants left behind after stars like our Sun die.

Researchers found that white dwarves can appear in a wide range of colours including pink, cyan, yellow, purple and green, rather than simply white as their name suggests. Most stars' colours are determined by temperature: cooler stars appear orange, warmer ones like the Sun appear white, and the hottest stars appear pale blue. Researchers previously assumed white dwarves would follow the same pattern.

Dr Mark Hollands from the University of Warwick, who led the research, explained that most stars 'behave like perfect radiators' and their colour is set almost entirely by temperature. However, white dwarves are so exceptionally dense that elements in their atmosphere can interact with the plasma, absorbing light across many more colours than expected. The WD J1330+6435 star has obtained its green appearance due to its 'enriched atmosphere', something never previously observed. Although no white dwarf is close enough for its colour to be seen directly, the team calculated the star's colour from its spectrum, or 'fingerprint', using data astronomers collect routinely.

How it is being reported

• Astronomers at UK university discover first ever green star in historyAstronomers at a British university have discovered the first ever credible green star on record. Researchers at the University of Warwick have recorded a unique white dwarf star, named WD J1330+6435, which appears green to the human eye. A new study into the stars has concluded that if we could view them up close, certain white dwarfs would shine in colours such as pink, cyan, yellow and purple, as well as green. Although no white dwarf star is close enough for its colour to be seen directly, the team calculated it instead from data astronomers already collect routinely. TRENDING Stories…GB News · 15 Oct, 14:32
• Astronomers find the first ever green starWhite dwarves can actually come in a whole range of colours, study findsIndependent Tech · 15 Oct, 12:04

In this story: University of Warwick · Mark Hollands · WD J1330+6435

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