Space Superlatives of 2022

Summary

Astronomers made remarkable discoveries in 2022, including finding the oldest known planetary nebula, 70,000 years old, in the M37 open cluster. They also identified a binary star system with the fastest white dwarf orbital period, circling its companion in just 51 minutes. Additionally, the most distant star ever detected, Earendel, was discovered, its light traveling 12.9 billion years to reach us, though the star likely no longer exists. These findings push the boundaries of space exploration, offering insights into the universe's past and paving the way for future astronomical breakthroughs.

Takeaways

• 🔭 Astronomers discovered the oldest known planetary nebula, estimated to be about 70,000 years old, located in the open cluster M37.
• 🌌 Despite their name, planetary nebulas have nothing to do with planets but are gas remnants from dying stars similar to our Sun.
• ✨ Out of over 4,000 known planetary nebulas in the Milky Way, this is only the third one discovered in an open cluster, providing a unique opportunity to study star evolution.
• 🌟 A record-breaking white dwarf-star pair was found with the fastest orbital period of just 51 minutes, as they circle each other in a very tight orbit.
• ⚛️ The white dwarf in this system is pulling hydrogen from its companion star, and astronomers predict it will soon start stealing helium instead.
• 📉 When the white dwarf transitions to stealing helium, the stars will have an 18-minute orbital period before stabilizing into a longer orbit in about 300 million years.
• 🚀 Astronomers detected Earendel, the most distant individual star ever observed, with its light taking 12.9 billion years to reach Earth.
• 🔍 The star Earendel was identified using gravitational lensing, where a galaxy cluster’s mass bends and magnifies the star’s light, making it visible.
• 🕰️ Earendel is not the oldest star ever but offers insights into the universe’s conditions 12.9 billion years ago, despite likely no longer existing.
• 🔭 Future observations with the James Webb Space Telescope aim to confirm whether Earendel is indeed a star and provide more details about its properties.

Q & A

What is a planetary nebula?

A planetary nebula is a big bubble of gas leftover when a star like our Sun dies. It forms when the star sheds its outer layers of gas into space, leaving behind a hot, dense core called a white dwarf.

Why is the recently discovered planetary nebula special?

This planetary nebula is special because it's the oldest known, estimated to be 70,000 years old, which is much older than the typical 5,000 to 25,000 years lifespan for nebulas. It is also only the third nebula found in an open cluster of stars.

What can astronomers learn from studying planetary nebulas in open clusters?

By studying planetary nebulas in open clusters, astronomers can learn more about the star that died, as open clusters contain stars that formed at the same time. This allows them to better understand the lifecycle of similar stars and potentially predict the future of stars like our Sun.

What is a white dwarf?

A white dwarf is the dense, hot core left behind after a star like our Sun runs out of fuel and sheds its outer layers. As it cools, the white dwarf emits light that interacts with the surrounding gas, creating a visible planetary nebula.

What is significant about the white dwarf and its companion discovered in 2022?

This white dwarf and its companion hold the record for the fastest orbital period for a binary system, orbiting each other once every 51 minutes. The white dwarf is also stealing hydrogen gas from its companion, which makes it a part of a special class of stars called Cataclysmic Variables.

What will happen when the white dwarf in this system finishes stealing hydrogen?

Once the white dwarf finishes stealing hydrogen, it will start stealing helium from its companion. The two stars will move closer, and their orbit could shrink to just 18 minutes. However, this process will take around 75 million years.

What is gravitational lensing and how does it relate to the discovery of Earendel?

Gravitational lensing occurs when the mass of an object, like a galaxy cluster, distorts spacetime and bends the light traveling through it. This effect magnified the light from Earendel, the most distant individual star ever detected, making it visible from Earth.

How far away is Earendel and why is its discovery important?

Earendel is 12.9 billion light years away, making it the most distant individual star ever detected. Its discovery is important because it allows scientists to study the universe as it was 12.9 billion years ago, providing insight into the early stages of galaxy and star formation.

What do astronomers predict about Earendel’s lifespan?

Astronomers estimate that Earendel, which was around 50 times the mass of our Sun, likely exploded as a supernova after about 10 million years. This means the star no longer exists, but its light continues to provide valuable data about the early universe.

How might future discoveries dethrone the current record holders mentioned in the script?

As astronomers continue to push the boundaries of technology and exploration, future discoveries may reveal even older, faster, or more distant objects in the universe. Each new discovery builds on previous knowledge, allowing scientists to continuously update our understanding of space.