Astronomers discover rare green-hued white dwarf star
Astronomers have identified a unique white dwarf star, designated WD J1330+6435, which exhibits a rare green hue. Located approximately 280 light-years from Earth within the constellation Draco, the star represents the first documented instance of a celestial body of this type displaying such a color. Typically, a star's color is determined by its temperature, but the unusual appearance of this stellar remnant is attributed to its chemistry.
The specific green coloration of WD J1330+6435 resulted from the star ingesting rocky debris from planets that previously orbited it. This process enriched the star's outer layers with elements such as calcium and lithium. As a white dwarf—the leftover core of a low- to medium-mass star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel—this discovery provides significant insights into stellar evolution and the physical characteristics of celestial remnants.
Researchers are currently studying the star's light spectrum to gain a deeper understanding of its chemical composition and the surrounding environment. These findings mark a milestone in astronomical observation and are expected to influence existing models regarding star color classification.