The New Discovered Blinking Star In Our Milky Way Galaxy

Highlights

• A massive star is blinking towards the core of our Milky Way Galaxy
• This discovery has helped scientists in discovering a new system of stars called ‘the blinking giants
• There are approximately six such systems of stars, according to scientists.

According to fresh astronomical studies, a massive star is blinking like a stellar beacon towards the core of our Milky Way galaxy. It is more than 25,000 light-years away from us. The star known as VVV-WIT-08 dwindled so greatly that it practically vanished from their sight as astronomers studied it over time. It is not uncommon for the brightness factor of a star to vary. Some stars pulsate, and one star in a stellar pair, known as a binary, can be overshadowed by another. However, it is extremely rare for a star to dim and then shine again, often known as blinking. 

The discovery of this star has led scientists to suspect that it may belong to a new form of blinking star system known as a “blinking giant.” This class contains massive stars, a hundred times the size of our sun, that are eclipsed every few decades or so by an unseen companion, which might be a planet or another star. This companion is most likely encircled by a disc of material that envelops the huge star, resulting in the blinking pattern observed by astronomers.

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The Core Of Our Milky Way Galaxy

Our galaxy’s core is a dense region containing a supermassive black hole, superclusters of stars, gas streams, and magnetic filaments. Initially, the researchers hypothesized that an unknown dark object might have crossed in front of the star, causing it to disappear and reappear. But this would need a vast number of these dark matters to float around in the galaxy, which is unlikely.

A study of other unusual star systems, such as massive stars that dim and brighten or exhibit this blinking pattern, assisted the researchers in determining that a new class of blinking giant stars may exist and should be researched. So far, it appears that there are approximately six such systems.

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Exploring Space

Astronomers will keep looking for more such massive flickering star systems to explore our galaxy more effectively. “There are certainly more to be discovered,” said Leigh Smith, discovery lead and research associate at the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy, in a statement. Our galaxy and space are so vast that it is impossible to fully explore this giant vacuum. Are you also fascinated by the Milky Way galaxy? 

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