Astronomers have discovered the fastest-rotating white dwarf star that spins once every 25 seconds. The star, named J0240+1952, is about the size of Earth but contains at least 200,000 times more mass. Put into context, one rotation of planet Earth takes 24 hours, while the equivalent on J0240+1952 is 25 seconds. Can you imagine if an Earth day was 25 seconds, day and night cycling rapidly?
White dwarfs are relatively cool, compact stars that are reaching the end of their lifetimes. Our own Sun will become a white dwarf in about 5 billion years.
J0240+1952 is a rare example of a magnetic propeller system – it pulls gaseous plasma from a nearby companion star and its magnetic field propels the matter out into space at around 3,000 kms per second. It is only the second magnetic propeller white dwarf to have been identified in over 70 years.
Picture Credit : Google
