Astronomers have spotted a heart in the cosmos — not Cupid's doing, but a dying star shedding its layers — just in time for Valentine's Day.
Astronomers witnessed a star emitting as much energy in mere moments as our sun puts out in a few months. The dramatic observation gives a direct look into the brutal physics of these stellar events.
"We studied the last several orbits before the merger, when the entwined magnetic fields undergo rapid and dramatic changes, and modeled potentially observable high-energy signals."
When young stars mix with neutron stars, things get messy.
"Stars like the sun don’t just stop shining for no reason."
"Until now, it was unknown what type of star would remain after the merger."
The Core And Filament Formation/Evolution In Natal Environments (CAFFEINE) survey is an "astronomer's best friend," according to the European Southern Observatory.
"One thing popped out as clear as anything, this previously unknown 'bar' of ionized iron atoms, in the middle of the familiar and iconic ring."
The protostar is launching the longest outburst ever seen at 32 light-years long.
Ba-by stars, doo doo doo doo doo doo.
