Green star discovery: Why it's called a zombie star
Astronomers have discovered a unique green star, a white dwarf known as WD J1330+6435, located approximately 326 light-years away from Earth. This unusual cosmic object, dubbed the "zombie star," earned its name due to its unusual afterlife as a result of accreting rocky material from a planetary companion. The white dwarf's dense atmosphere is enriched with elements like calcium, lithium, and sodium, which have altered its color.
The researchers found that the sodium atoms in the star's atmosphere are constantly bombarded by surrounding helium atoms, changing the sodium atomic energy levels. Consequently, the sodium atoms no longer absorb a specific orange wavelength, leaving the star with a green glow. This phenomenon is unprecedented, as no other star, living or dead, has ever been reported as green.
The greenish hue of WD J1330+6435 is caused by the behavior of sodium in its extremely dense atmosphere. Unlike normal stars, which typically exhibit orange, white, or blue colors, this star's green appearance is linked to the physical conditions in its atmosphere. The Sun, while expected to become a white dwarf in the future, is unlikely to turn green due to its atmospheric composition and surrounding conditions.
This discovery provides astronomers with new insights into the transformations stars and planetary systems undergo after stellar death.
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