Astronomers can measure the distance to about a billion stars using the same effect that lets you enjoy a 3D summer blockbuster.
Stranger In a Strange Land
The stars in our galaxy can change orbits over time. Through “close encounters” with other stars, they can find themselves in very different regions of the galaxy than their region of origin. Now new research finds that about a third of stars drift to new orbits in their lifetime.
Northern Lights on a Distant World
Brown dwarfs are like the Pluto of stars. New research published in Nature points to a more planetary nature by discovering bright aurora on a brown dwarf.
Game of the Name
What’s in a name? Take, for example, the star GSC 0129-01873. It’s also known as HIP 27989, BD +07 1055, HD 39801, SAO 113271, and Alpha Orionis. Most commonly it’s known as Betelgeuse.
Where the Wild Things Are
Giant stars lurk the heart of the Westerlund 1 cluster.
In the Belt
A region of material similar to the Kuiper belt of our solar system has been directly observed around another star.
Hungry Like the Wolf
A Wolf-Rayet star nicknamed “Nasty 1” is having its hydrogen stolen by a companion star.
Red Hot Vacuum
Giant stars such as Betelgeuse may appear to dwarf our Sun, but their densities are so low that they are basically red hot vacuums.
And Yet, Here We Are
Caffau’s star is sometimes called an “impossible star.” It’s actually just an interesting star that we don’t fully understand.