In a surprising discovery, astronomers have found a new type of star lurking in the depths of our Milky Way galaxy. Dubbed “old smokers,” these stars exhibit a peculiar behavior never before seen in red giants. While nearing the end of their life, these stars remain quiet for extended periods before suddenly emitting a cloud of smoke. The international team of scientists stumbled upon these mysterious stars during a 10-year survey using the VISTA telescope in the Chilean Andes. Their initial goal was to search for newborn stars, but they were met with an unexpected surprise.
Astrophysicist Philip Lucas, the lead author of the study and a professor at the University of Hertfordshire, described the discovery as a “nice surprise.” The researchers identified 32 proto-stars, the largest number ever found in a single batch. However, amidst their search for these young stars, they noticed the presence of the old smokers in the heart of the Milky Way’s Nuclear Stellar Disc.
What intrigued scientists the most was the fact that these stars appeared to be inactive, seemingly doing nothing at all. Then, without warning, they would dim by 40 to 100 times, becoming so faint that even the telescope’s infrared vision struggled to detect them. After a couple of years, they would regain their former brightness. Lucas explained that this behavior suggests that the stars are emitting puffs of smoke, temporarily obscuring them from our view.
The reason behind these smoke puffs remains unknown. Lucas speculated that the high concentration of heavy elements in this region of the galaxy could create more dust in the star’s atmosphere, leading to these intermittent smoke emissions. If this theory holds true, it could have significant implications for understanding how heavy elements are distributed throughout our galaxy and beyond.
However, Lucas emphasized that these explanations are still speculative and that scientists are currently exploring various possibilities. “We’re just sort of scrabbling around trying to see what makes the most sense,” he said. The researchers have already identified at least 21 old smokers but suspect that there are many more waiting to be discovered.
The findings of this study were published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, shedding light on a fascinating phenomenon occurring within our own galaxy. As scientists continue to delve into the mysteries of the universe, each new discovery brings us closer to unraveling the secrets hidden among the stars.
