Accidentally Finding a Solar Twin
After accidentally observing the wrong star this paper’s authors discovered a previously-unknown solar twin, a type of star which can help shed light on a number of questions in astronomy.
Energy transport in white dwarfs: what about magnetic fields?
Magnetic fields always make things more compiclated. In today’s paper, the authors studied their effect on the atmosphere of white dwarf stars.
Image credits: ESO/L. Calçada
Looking beyond the James Webb Space Telescope
With the imminent launch of the James Webb Space Telescope next year, many scientists are asking what is next? Today’s bite, which focuses on a recent workshop on global coordination: future space-based Ultraviolet-Optical-Infrared Telescopes, hopefully represents the first steps towards the next big space telescope.
The Mass Controversy of Retired A-Stars
Two attempts to measure the masses of retired A-type stars give two different results.
The Sad Case of GRB 111005A: a Lonely, Nearby Gamma-Ray Burst
A long-duration GRB was detected without its expected supernova companion. Today’s astrobite chronicles one team’s efforts to try and uncover the cause of GRB 111005A’s loneliness.
The Farthest Star Ever Seen
So far, Gravitational Lensing has allowed us to observe distant faint galaxies or supernovae. Its time to observe individual stars now.