Indian astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), along with international collaborators, have reported the rare discovery of a Blue Straggler Star (BSS) caught in the process of formation.
The discovery provides direct observational evidence of how Blue Straggler Stars are formed and evolve.
Blue Straggler Stars (BSS) are a peculiar class of stars found in star clusters.
They appear hotter, brighter and more massive than other stars of similar age in their host clusters.
The origin and evolution of BSS have long remained a puzzle for astronomers.
The most widely accepted explanation is that BSS acquire additional mass from a companion star or are formed through stellar mergers.
This process effectively rejuvenates the star, making it appear younger than the other stars in the cluster.
The astronomers studied a remarkable binary star system named TIC 327546480.
The system is located in the old open star cluster Collinder 261, approximately 9,500 light-years from Earth.
Researchers discovered that the Blue Straggler Star is actively gaining material from its companion star.
This observation provides a rare opportunity to study a BSS “caught in the act” of formation.
Source: PIB
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