Distant Star System Destined for Rare Supernova
9 April 2025 路 Uncategorized 路
Source: 路 https://technews.tw/2025/04/09/white-dwarf-star-binary-system/
White dwarfs represent the final evolutionary stage for most stars, and occasionally astronomers discover binary star systems where two white dwarfs orbit each other closely. Recent surveys have identified one such pair located approximately 150 light-years from Earth that appears destined to explode into a Type Ia supernova in roughly 23 billion years.
As a star nears the end of its life cycle鈥攁fter exhausting its hydrogen fuel and expanding into a red giant鈥攊t eventually sheds outer layers, leaving behind a dense core about the size of Earth: this is known as a white dwarf. Despite their relatively small diameter, these stars typically possess masses comparable to our Sun's, resulting in extreme density.
Astronomers sometimes discover systems composed of two orbiting white dwarfs; for example, researchers from the University of Warwick used data from four ground-based telescopes to identify an unusual and large binary system just 150 light-years away. While hundreds of dual-white dwarf star systems have been previously identified, this newly discovered pair is notable as one of the closest, completing a full orbit around each other in approximately 14 hours.
Scientists have long hypothesized that Type Ia supernovae originate from collisions between two closely paired white dwarfs; recent analyses confirm these predictions. This binary system appears destined to collide and explode into a Type Ia supernova within roughly 23 billion years, with an expected peak brightness about ten times greater than the full moon.
There is no cause for concern regarding this explosion鈥檚 impact on Earth, as humanity may have long since become extinct or relocated by then. Researchers note that one white dwarf has approximately 83% of our Sun's mass and a diameter roughly 20 percent larger than Earth's; the other possesses about 72% of our Sun's mass with a diameter around 50 percent bigger than Earth鈥檚.
Type Ia supernovae play a significant role in astronomical observations, as they not only help distribute heavy elements but also exhibit specific brightness peaks that serve as indicators for measuring cosmic distances and aiding astronomers. New research suggests modern telescopes can identify more hidden binary white dwarf systems within our galaxy.
The new study was published in the journal *Nature Astronomy*.
(Lead image source: University of Warwick)
As a star nears the end of its life cycle鈥攁fter exhausting its hydrogen fuel and expanding into a red giant鈥攊t eventually sheds outer layers, leaving behind a dense core about the size of Earth: this is known as a white dwarf. Despite their relatively small diameter, these stars typically possess masses comparable to our Sun's, resulting in extreme density.
Astronomers sometimes discover systems composed of two orbiting white dwarfs; for example, researchers from the University of Warwick used data from four ground-based telescopes to identify an unusual and large binary system just 150 light-years away. While hundreds of dual-white dwarf star systems have been previously identified, this newly discovered pair is notable as one of the closest, completing a full orbit around each other in approximately 14 hours.
Scientists have long hypothesized that Type Ia supernovae originate from collisions between two closely paired white dwarfs; recent analyses confirm these predictions. This binary system appears destined to collide and explode into a Type Ia supernova within roughly 23 billion years, with an expected peak brightness about ten times greater than the full moon.
There is no cause for concern regarding this explosion鈥檚 impact on Earth, as humanity may have long since become extinct or relocated by then. Researchers note that one white dwarf has approximately 83% of our Sun's mass and a diameter roughly 20 percent larger than Earth's; the other possesses about 72% of our Sun's mass with a diameter around 50 percent bigger than Earth鈥檚.
Type Ia supernovae play a significant role in astronomical observations, as they not only help distribute heavy elements but also exhibit specific brightness peaks that serve as indicators for measuring cosmic distances and aiding astronomers. New research suggests modern telescopes can identify more hidden binary white dwarf systems within our galaxy.
The new study was published in the journal *Nature Astronomy*.
(Lead image source: University of Warwick)