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Unique White Dwarf Creates Colorful Shockwave 730 Light-Years Away

1/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Astronomers have discovered a unique white dwarf in a binary system located 730 light-years away in Auriga.
The white dwarf siphons gas from its red-dwarf companion and creates a colorful shockwave as it moves.
The shockwave is observed with the Very Large Telescope and shows colors due to heated interstellar gas.
Researchers remain puzzled by the outflow of material needed to sustain the shockwave, despite gas coming from the companion.

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Story summary

Astronomers have discovered a unique white dwarf in a binary system located 730 light-years away in Auriga.
The white dwarf siphons gas from its red-dwarf companion and creates a colorful shockwave as it moves.
The shockwave is observed with the Very Large Telescope and shows colors due to heated interstellar gas.
Researchers remain puzzled by the outflow of material needed to sustain the shockwave, despite gas coming from the companion.