Scientists have recently discovered a fascinating celestial object hurtling through our galaxy at an astonishing speed that could potentially propel it beyond the confines of our galaxy into outer space. Dubbed CWISE J124909.08+362116.0, this object is traveling at an incredible velocity of 1.3 million miles per hour or 600 kilometers per second, equivalent to 0.1% of the speed of light, making it an exceptionally fast-moving entity.
Initial observations suggest that CWISE J124909.08+362116.0 is likely a low-mass star, marking it as the first of its kind to be classified as a 'hypervelocity' star. The object's low mass has posed challenges in its identification, with some experts speculating that it could potentially be a brown dwarf rather than a star.
The research team behind this discovery has successfully submitted their findings for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letters, underscoring the significance of this unique celestial find. The team's citizen scientist, hailing from Nuremberg, Germany, expressed his excitement at the discovery, highlighting the rarity and speed of the object.
Further analysis by a postdoctoral research fellow from the University of Notre Dame estimated the mass of CWISE J124909.08+362116.0 to be approximately 8% of the Sun's mass, placing it at the lower threshold of stellar masses. There is a possibility that the object's mass falls slightly below this boundary, potentially indicating that it is a brown dwarf rather than a star.
This groundbreaking discovery has sparked intrigue and excitement within the scientific community, shedding light on the mysteries of our universe and pushing the boundaries of astronomical knowledge.
