Green Star Discovery
In short
Astronomers have discovered a rare white dwarf star, WD J1330+6435, located 280 light-years away in the Draco constellation that appears chartreuse green. This unusual colour is caused by the specific interaction of sodium and helium in the star's atmosphere.
In plain words
Most stars look white, blue, or orange, but this dead star glows green. The colour comes from its unique chemical makeup, likely influenced by the remains of planets that were destroyed near it.
A simple example
If you could look at WD J1330+6435 through a telescope, instead of seeing a typical white dot, you would see a ghostly green light.
Why it matters
The discovery challenges existing ideas about the colours white dwarf stars can display. It helps scientists understand how the atmosphere of a dead star changes after consuming nearby planetary material.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse this with a 'green flash', which is a brief optical phenomenon seen during sunset or sunrise.
Sources
- Astronomers discover green star 280 light-years away; what makes it glow green
- Astronomers find a ‘ghostly’ star glowing green and another possibly the reddest ever recorded
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- Astronomers Find Rare Green White Dwarf 280 Light-Years From Earth