Flagstaff astronomers discover runaway star in nearby galaxy

PHOENIX — Astronomers at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff discovered a rare runaway star, it was announced this week.

An international group of astronomers at the observatory found it in the Small Magellanic Cloud, a close neighbor of our own Milky Way Galaxy.

The star was classified as a yellow supergiant, the same type as the north-pole star, Polaris.

It was the first runaway yellow supergiant ever discovered and was only the second evolved runaway star to ever be found in another galaxy.

A runaway is a fast-moving star that was flung out of a binary star system after its companion went supernova.

The observatory said that the star was zipping across the galaxy at 300,000 miles per hour. At that rate, it would only take about 30 seconds to travel from Los Angeles to New York.

It will likely live for another three million years before eventually dying in a supernova. The explosion will lead to more elements being created from the supernova remnants, which may form new stars or even planets on the edge of the Small Magellanic Cloud.

The Lowell Observatory is a private, non-profit research facility founded in 1894.

The observatory operated four research telescopes and has played an important role in increasing our knowledge of the solar system, including discovering Pluto in 1930.

Related

Phase 1 of massive industrial project planned near TSMC campus in North PhoenixWoman dead after firing at officers, barricading herself inside Casa Grande homeDowntown Mesa to leave monsoon themed ‘Cloud Citation’ on windshieldsNovus Innovation Corridor to expand with new hotel on ASU’s Tempe campusChandler economic development director started career chasing water in the desert‘I’ll remain true to my principles’: John Giles says joining Katie Hobbs matches conservative values