Astronomers spot coronal mass ejection on another star for first time

Astronomers have, for the first time, detected a powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) from a star other than the Sun, marking a major breakthrough in stellar physics.

• Findings Published in Nature: The international research team reported the discovery in the scientific journal Nature, using data from the European radio telescope network LOFAR.
• The Star: StKM 1-1262
  • A red dwarf star, located over 133 light-years from Earth.
  • Red dwarfs are the most common planet-hosting stars in the galaxy, often associated with Earth-sized exoplanets.
• The Stellar Storm:
  • On May 16, 2016, LOFAR recorded a one-minute-long massive explosion from the star.
  • Confirmed as a coronal mass ejection.
  • The CME was 10,000 times more violent than any solar storm ever observed on the Sun.
• Potential Planetary Impact:
  Such a massive CME would likely strip away the atmosphere of any nearby planets — reducing chances for habitability.
• Why the Discovery Matters:
  • Stellar CMEs beyond our Sun have long been difficult to observe directly.
  • This detection helps scientists understand space weather around other stars, especially red dwarfs.
  • Crucial for evaluating the habitability of exoplanets orbiting these stars.
• Solar Storm Comparison:
  • CMEs on the Sun are plasma clouds expelled from its outer atmosphere.
  • When they reach Earth, they can:
    • Disrupt satellites, power grids, and communication systems.
    • Produce auroras, like those seen across New Zealand and as far south as Tennessee (USA) on November 12.
• About LOFAR:
  The Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR) is a powerful European network of radio telescopes used to detect extreme cosmic events such as black holes and stellar explosions.

Source: TH