Stars

Astronomers using advanced supercomputer simulations have discovered that stellar rotation enables material from the deep interiors of red giant stars to reach their surfaces. Researchers from the University of Victoria and the University of Minnesota identified this mechanism, resolving a puzzle that has puzzled scientists since the 1970s. The findings, published in Nature Astronomy, explain observed changes in surface chemistry.

17 marzo 2026 Riportato dall'IA

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has captured detailed images of Nebula PMR 1, nicknamed the 'Exposed Cranium' for its resemblance to a brain inside a transparent skull. The observations, taken in near- and mid-infrared light, reveal layered gas structures and a dark central lane dividing the nebula. This structure surrounds a star shedding its outer layers in its final life stages.

Researchers have discovered that tidal forces in tightly orbiting binary white dwarfs generate significant internal heat, causing the stars to expand and reach unexpectedly high temperatures. This phenomenon challenges previous models and could explain the early onset of cosmic interactions like supernovae. The findings come from a study led by Kyoto University.

21 novembre 2025 Riportato dall'IA

Observations from the James Webb Space Telescope suggest the presence of enormous stars in a distant early universe galaxy. These potential Population III stars could reach masses up to 10,000 times that of the sun. The findings may explain the origins of supermassive black holes.

A study by astronomers at University College London and the University of Warwick reveals that aging stars destroy giant planets orbiting nearby as they expand into red giants. Using NASA's TESS telescope, researchers analyzed nearly half a million stars and found far fewer close-orbiting planets around more evolved stars. This provides direct evidence of planetary destruction through tidal interactions.

06 novembre 2025 Riportato dall'IA

An international team of astrophysicists has developed a model explaining how extremely massive stars forged the universe's first star clusters and galaxies. These giants, thousands of times heavier than the Sun, left chemical imprints in ancient globular clusters and may have seeded early black holes. The findings connect star formation with observations from the James Webb Space Telescope.