Something we’ve never seen before is coming out of a solar system in our galaxy, astronomers say
Astronomers have detected oxygen-rich gas 'bullets' traveling at extreme speeds from the Milky Way's only known helium nova.
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The brief
A one-of-a-kind helium nova in the Milky Way has ejected oxygen-rich gas 'bullets.' These projectiles are racing out of the system at speeds described as 30 million kilometers per hour or up to 20 million mph. Coverage from IFLScience, Phys.org, and ZME Science emphasizes that this is the galaxy's rarest stellar explosion.
Universe Space Tech reports that the nature of this specific explosion has finally been determined. Future observations will focus on these mysterious gas bullets and the characteristics of the Milky Way's only known helium nova.
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Quick answers
What was ejected from the solar system?
Oxygen-rich gas 'bullets' were shot out of the system.
How fast are the gas bullets traveling?
They are traveling at 30 million kilometers per hour, or up to 20 million mph.
What caused this event?
The event was caused by a helium nova, which is described as the Milky Way's rarest stellar explosion.
Coverage (5)
- Astronomers Found Mysterious Gas 'Bullets' Racing Out of the Milky Way’s Rarest Stellar Explosion ZME Science · 10h ago
- Nature of the Milky Way’s rarest explosion has finally been determined Universe Space Tech · 10h ago
- One-Of-A-Kind Helium Nova Shot Never-Before-Seen Oxygen-Rich Bullets At 30 Million Kilometers Per Hour IFLScience · 10h ago
- Mysterious gas 'bullets' race from Milky Way's only known helium nova at up to 20 million mph Phys.org · 10h ago
- Something we’ve never seen before is coming out of a solar system in our galaxy, astronomers say The Independent · 10h ago
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