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Astronomers discover a green white dwarf and the reddest star yet found.

A study of 151 nearby white dwarfs finds about one in 30 glows in other colors.

SourcesPhys00:10 UTCThe Independent11:04 UTCPopsci14:26 UTCLive Science10:00 UTCSave

Phys, The Independent, Popsci and Live Science

Key points

From Live Science’s report
  • New study shows white dwarfs display colors beyond white, including green and purple.
  • Researchers analyzed spectra of 151 white dwarfs within 65 light-years of Earth.
  • WD J1330+6435 is identified as a green star with chartreuse appearance from calcium, lithium, sodium.
  • WD J1011+2845 is likely the reddest white dwarf due to carbon convection effects.
  • About 1 in 30 nearby white dwarfs glow in colors other than white, suggesting more color variety.

Why it matters. Their hues reveal elements and convection effects in stellar remnants.

What to watch. More color findings among nearby white dwarfs.

Coverage

Oldest first · UTC

“Green, pink and purple: Astronomers reveal the surprising true colors of white dwarf stars”

Key points from Phys
  • Warwick astronomers modeled white dwarf colors using spectra and human color vision.
  • Coolest white dwarfs can reach densities around 1 gram per cubic centimeter.
  • Colors depend on atmosphere composition and trace elements like carbon and sodium.
  • WD J1330+6435 appears green due to calcium, lithium, and sodium enriching the atmosphere.
  • Among 151 white dwarfs within 65 light-years, five showed unusual colors; about 1 in 30.
SourcePhysLeanUnratedCredibilityUnratedRead at Phys

“Astronomers find the first ever green star”

Key points from The Independent
  • Researchers find white dwarfs can have colors beyond white, including green.
  • WD J1330+6435 shows a chartreuse green due to calcium, lithium, sodium.
  • Study analyzed spectra and modeled color to determine actual hues.
  • Among 151 nearby white dwarfs, five showed unusual colors (two yellow, three pink).
  • Findings challenge the idea that white dwarfs are predominantly blue or white.
SourceThe IndependentUnited KingdomLeanCenter-leftCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at The Independent

“Astronomers discover first green star and the reddest star ever recorded”

Key points from Popsci
  • Researchers studied white dwarfs to understand unexpected colors beyond white, blue, and orange.
  • Green color result comes from high atmospheric density interacting with trace elements like sodium.
  • WD J1330+6435 appears chartreuse green due to calcium, lithium, sodium enrichment.
  • WD J1011+2845 is proposed as the reddest star with carbon distortion in its light.
  • Colors were inferred from spectra and computer models, not direct eye observations.
SourcePopsciLeanUnratedCredibilityUnratedRead at Popsci

“Astronomers discover the first-ever green star, plus the reddest 'white dwarf' ever seen”

Key points from Live Science
  • New study shows white dwarfs display colors beyond white, including green and purple.
  • Researchers analyzed spectra of 151 white dwarfs within 65 light-years of Earth.
  • WD J1330+6435 is identified as a green star with chartreuse appearance from calcium, lithium, sodium.
  • WD J1011+2845 is likely the reddest white dwarf due to carbon convection effects.
  • About 1 in 30 nearby white dwarfs glow in colors other than white, suggesting more color variety.
SourceLive ScienceUnited StatesLeanCenterCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at Live Science

Coverage

Oldest first · UTC
SourcePhysLeanUnratedCredibilityUnratedRead at Phys“Green, pink and purple: Astronomers reveal the surprising true colors of white dwarf stars”
Key points from Phys
  • Warwick astronomers modeled white dwarf colors using spectra and human color vision.
  • Coolest white dwarfs can reach densities around 1 gram per cubic centimeter.
  • Colors depend on atmosphere composition and trace elements like carbon and sodium.
  • WD J1330+6435 appears green due to calcium, lithium, and sodium enriching the atmosphere.
  • Among 151 white dwarfs within 65 light-years, five showed unusual colors; about 1 in 30.
SourceThe IndependentUnited KingdomLeanCenter-leftCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at The Independent“Astronomers find the first ever green star”
Key points from The Independent
  • Researchers find white dwarfs can have colors beyond white, including green.
  • WD J1330+6435 shows a chartreuse green due to calcium, lithium, sodium.
  • Study analyzed spectra and modeled color to determine actual hues.
  • Among 151 nearby white dwarfs, five showed unusual colors (two yellow, three pink).
  • Findings challenge the idea that white dwarfs are predominantly blue or white.
SourcePopsciLeanUnratedCredibilityUnratedRead at Popsci“Astronomers discover first green star and the reddest star ever recorded”
Key points from Popsci
  • Researchers studied white dwarfs to understand unexpected colors beyond white, blue, and orange.
  • Green color result comes from high atmospheric density interacting with trace elements like sodium.
  • WD J1330+6435 appears chartreuse green due to calcium, lithium, sodium enrichment.
  • WD J1011+2845 is proposed as the reddest star with carbon distortion in its light.
  • Colors were inferred from spectra and computer models, not direct eye observations.
SourceLive ScienceUnited StatesLeanCenterCredibilityRatings: AllSides, MBFCRead at Live Science“Astronomers discover the first-ever green star, plus the reddest 'white dwarf' ever seen”
Key points from Live Science
  • New study shows white dwarfs display colors beyond white, including green and purple.
  • Researchers analyzed spectra of 151 white dwarfs within 65 light-years of Earth.
  • WD J1330+6435 is identified as a green star with chartreuse appearance from calcium, lithium, sodium.
  • WD J1011+2845 is likely the reddest white dwarf due to carbon convection effects.
  • About 1 in 30 nearby white dwarfs glow in colors other than white, suggesting more color variety.

Why it’s in the Brief

Ranked 8th of 10.

Starting score
5.0
Public-interest topic
+1.0
Public-interest terms in the text
+1.25
High-reliability sources
+0.75
Score
8.0

The ranking is the same for everyone.

Perspective mix. 1 center-left · 1 center · 2 unrated.RatingsAllSides and Media Bias/Fact CheckLean and credibility are curated from their public ratings.Unknown outlets stay unrated, never guessed.

Blindspot. No right-leaning outlet is covering this story. Worth knowing before you make up your mind.