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Discovery of first known green white dwarf star

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2026-10-19 16:08 UTC → 2026-10-20 06:12 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Astronomers led by the University of Warwick have identified the first known green star, a white dwarf designated WD J1330+6435. Located in the Draco constellation approximately 280 light-years from Earth, the star exhibits a unique lime-green or chartreuse glow that defies standard temperature-based color rules. The unusual color is attributed to the star consuming rocky planetary debris. As the white dwarf absorbs material containing calcium, lithium, and sodium, the extreme density of its atmosphere causes sodium atoms to be bombarded by helium. This process shifts energy levels so that orange and yellow wavelengths are absorbed, leaving a visible green hue. Researchers have described the white dwarf as a ‘zombie’ star, noting that by consuming asteroids and planets, these remnants provide a ‘crime scene’ for scientists to study the composition of planetary materials and the end of stellar life. Lead researcher Mark Hollands noted that these chemical traces allow astronomers to use white dwarfs as diagnostic tools to analyze the composition of former planetary systems. The study, published in RAS Techniques and Instruments, suggests that the extreme density of white dwarf atmospheres allows for chemical interactions that deviate from the standard ‘perfect radiator’ model of stellar color. Beyond green, researchers suggest that depending on chemical composition, white dwarfs may display a much broader spectrum of colors, including pink, purple, and cyan.

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