Bavarian citizens discovered rapid object in the Milky Way!

Bavarian citizens discovered rapid object in the Milky Way!

scientists have discovered a fascinating phenomenon that races around in the vastness of our Milky Way. A mysterious object that shoots through space with an incredible 1.6 million kilometers per hour could even overcome the gravity of our galaxy. This exciting discovery comes from a team of so -called "citizen scientists" who work as part of the "Backyard Worlds: Planet 9" project. These committed amateurs, including a committed man from Bavaria, have observed and reported the extraordinary object.

The discovery was made possible by NASA's high technology, in particular through data from the wise mission (Wide-Field Infrared Explorer). This mission mapped the sky in infrared light between 2009 and 2011. The attentive Bavarian scientist Martin Kabatnik and his colleagues, Thomas P. Bickle and Dan Caselden, identify the weak but extremely fast particle that delivers the key to the investigation of new astrophysical phenomena.

a new astrophysical puzzle

The discovered object bears the name "CWISE J124909.08+362116.0". It is the first of its kind, the mass of which is similar or less than that of a small star. The discovery was also officially recorded in a study published in July 2024 in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. The lay scientists were involved as co-authors, which underlines the relevance of their contribution. This project was possible under the direction of Adam Burgasser, a professor at the University of California, San Diego.

"I cannot describe the excitement," said Bavarian scientist Martin Kabatnik. "When I saw for the first time how quickly it was moving, I was convinced that it had to have been reported." His enthusiasm reflects the enthusiasm that many civil scientists feel when they contribute to deciphering universe secrets.

The properties and the origin of the object

Remarkable of "CWISE J124909" is not only its incredible speed, but also its unclear mass. This challenge makes it difficult to classify the object exactly. If it is a star with a low mass, it could be a brown dwarf if it no longer melts hydrogen. Brown dwarfs are a special feature in the universe, since they are neither completely planet nor star and are in a very own state between these categories.

In addition, data from the W.-M.-Keck-Observatory in Hawaii show that the object must be remarkably little iron and other metals in comparison. This realization indicates that it is a very old component of the Galactic history, possibly from one of the first generation of stars in the Milky Way. Another significant horizon of discovery that will expand this disposal is the possibility of another black hole in our galaxy, which arouses the interest of the scientists.

Scientists are currently researching two main hypotheses about the extreme speed "CWISE J1249". A theory says that the object comes from a narrow star cluster and was thrown out of this cluster by encountering a few black holes. The second hypothesis states that it was originally part of a double star system and that massive matter was sailed by a white dwarf in a huge supernova explosion. This would explain the speed and could be further explained with future observations of the element structure of the object.

In the vastness of the cosmos, "Cwise J124909" remains a remarkable mystery. The discovery of this new class of astronomy objects could encourage you to look at the night sky with a new look and to become aware of the unexplored secrets that are still hidden there.

historical comparisons

The discovery of exceptional sky objects is not a new phenomenon, and there are various historical events that have triggered similar tensions and excitement. For example, the Planet Pluto was discovered in 1930, which led to great discussions about the classification of sky bodies. Pluto was the ninth planet of our solar system for a long time before it was classified as a dwarf planet in 2006. This debate about the definition of planets partially reflects the current uncertainty about the CWISE J124909.08+362116.0. Similar to the back then, the scientists could now have to adapt their view of the celestial bodies that have never been observed. In both cases, it shows how dynamics in astronomy lead to constant change in knowledge, even if the exact conditions and technologies differ.

Another example is the discovery of quasarlowhen in the 1960s. These were initially perceived as mysterious signals from space, which turned out to be distant galaxies. The excitement here is, since the current object may also have a major impact on our understanding of the creation of the galaxy, as quasarlowhen did.

background information for discovery

The "Backyard Worlds: Planet 9" project of NASA shows how public commitment and the use of modern technologies make it possible to make significant scientific progress. Due to the high number of amateur scientists, wider data evaluation makes it possible to lead to discoveries that may have escaped the main researchers. Such projects illustrate the role of civic science and the influence of the Internet on science. The Internet enables access to data and imaging procedures that would otherwise not be available to the general public.

The discovery of CWISE J124909.08+362116.0 could also have an impact on understanding heavenly objects in general. As reported, the object has a small mass and apparently contains fewer metals than other celestial bodies. These properties raise questions about the origin and evolution of such objects in the early days of the Milky Way and could challenge the existing theory about the formation of stars and planets.

Current data and statistics

In addition to the discovery of CWISE J124909.08+362116.0, it is relevant to point out heavenly objects and citizen science discovered on some statistics on the subject. According to a study by NASA that was carried out in 2021, there are currently over 500 registered citizens' science projects within astronomy. These projects contributed to the discovery of more than 1,000 new planets and numerous other sky objects. Such data show the growing important role of amateur scientists in modern astronomy. In addition, a survey of 2023 shows that about 70 % of the participants in citizens' science projects provides information that the project has changed its perspective on science, which increases the Engagement in research.