Astronomers Unlock a Cosmic Mystery with the Discovery of a New Star Type
This newly found massive helium star may provide insights into the origins of magnetars – extremely dense remnants of dead stars with ultra-strong magnetic fields that have baffled scientists for years.
A recent discovery by astronomers has unveiled a new type of star that could hold the key to understanding a longstanding cosmic mystery. This newly found massive helium star may provide insights into the origins of magnetars – extremely dense remnants of dead stars with ultra-strong magnetic fields that have baffled scientists for years.
Known as HD 45166, this binary star system located around 3,000 light-years away in the Monoceros constellation has raised curiosity due to its unique properties. The primary star, composed mostly of helium, displays an exceptionally powerful magnetic field of 43,000 gauss, making it the most magnetically robust massive star ever detected.
The star's magnetic attributes distinguish it as a potential progenitor of magnetars, but it also redefines astronomers' understanding of massive magnetic helium stars, shedding light on the origins of these cosmic anomalies.