Scientists have recently discovered a stellar corpse they have dubbed the “Tasmanian Devil,” one which they say is providing a glimpse into a phenomenon that astronomers have never seen before.
Located in the constellation of Scorpius, the Tasmanian Devil is a red giant star and is estimated to be roughly 200 million-years-old. The star is a peculiar one, exhibiting strange behaviour that has piqued the interest of scientists the world over.
It is believed that the Tasmanian Devil’s bizarre behaviour is linked to its central magnetic field, which is performing an incredible feat: it is rotating faster than the star’s surface as a whole. This phenomenon is known as “magnetic acceleration” and has never been witnessed before.
The discovery of this stellar corpse has allowed scientists to observe the complex movements of the star’s magnetic field, and consequently has enabled them to gain a greater understanding of how this mysterious formation works. The Tasmanian Devil’s unexpected movements could potentially help to shed light onto the inner workings of other star-forming systems, thus improving our knowledge of star-formation processes and the potential for further observation.
What’s more, it’s not just the magnetic field that is of interest to astronomers. This stellar corpse is believed to contain a wealth of information about its own history. The data gathered from this galactic specimen could help scientists to reveal a more accurate picture of stellar evolution and the influence of the stellar environment.
All in all, the discovery of the Tasmanian Devil has already demonstrated the importance of stellar corpses in the area of astrophysics. This ancient star is providing a unique glimpse into the universe that astronomers have never seen before.
