White Dwarf Star Transforming Into a Giant Diamond
This artist’s concept shows the crystallized core of a white dwarf star.
University of Warwick/Mark Garlick
A white dwarf star is a very dense stellar remnant that is left behind after a star like our Sun has run out of fuel and burned out. White dwarfs are typically about the size of Earth, but they are incredibly heavy, with a mass that is about the same as the Sun.
In a new study, astronomers have found that a white dwarf star located about 104 light-years from Earth is transforming into a giant diamond. The star, called WD 1904+226, is made up of mostly carbon and oxygen, and it is thought to be about 5 billion years old.
As the star cools, the carbon and oxygen atoms in its core begin to crystallize. This process releases heat, which slows down the star’s cooling. As a result, the star’s core becomes a dense, hard crystal of carbon and oxygen.
The astronomers who discovered WD 1904+226 believe that it is the first white dwarf star to be observed in the process of transforming into a diamond. They say that the discovery could help us to better understand the evolution of white dwarf stars and the final stages of a star’s life.
The discovery of WD 1904+226 is a remarkable find, and it is sure to generate a great deal of excitement among astronomers and the public alike. It is a reminder of the amazing things that are still waiting to be discovered in the universe.
Here are some additional details about the discovery:
- The astronomers used the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope to study WD 1904+226.
- They found that the star’s core is made up of a dense, hard crystal of carbon and oxygen.
- The astronomers believe that the star is about 5 billion years old.
- They say that the discovery could help us to better understand the evolution of white dwarf stars and the final stages of a star’s life.
The discovery of WD 1904+226 is a significant one, and it is sure to have a lasting impact on our understanding of stars and the universe.
