Motion of Dead Star Creating Shockwaves | European Southern Observatory

Motion of Dead Star Creating Shockwaves | European Southern Observatory

White dwarf star RXJ0528+2838 (close-up)

The star, called RXJ0528+2838, is a white dwarf in a binary system with a Sun-like star orbiting it. It is located 730 light-years away. 

These images, taken with the MUSE instrument on the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope, show shock waves around the dead star RXJ0528+2838. When a star moves through space it can push away nearby material creating a so-called bow shock that is glowing in red, green and blue in this image. The colors represent hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen, respectively. These shocks are usually produced by a strong outflow expelled from the star. However, in the case of RXJ0528+2838––a white dwarf with a Sun-like companion––astronomers discovered that the shock wave cannot be explained by any known mechanism. A hidden energy source, perhaps magnetic fields, could be the answer to this mystery.

Image#2 Description: This image is made up of two parts. At the center is a square image with a white border showing a bright object moving through space. This is surrounded by a colourful cloud, and the outer part glows red. The inner parts have an additional green and blue hue. There are more glowing spots around the object of interest. This core image is embedded in another image showing pinkish stars, which gives the central image a special touch.

Credit: ESO/K. Iłkiewicz and S. Scaringi et al. Background: PanSTARRS
Release Date: Jan. 12, 2026

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